It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), he says: I heard a man seeking forgiveness for his polytheist parents. I said: Are you seeking forgiveness for your polytheist parents? He said: Did not Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) seek forgiveness for his polytheist father? When I mentioned this to the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), these verses were revealed: {مَا کَانَ لِلنَّبِیِّ وَالَّذِیْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا اَنْ یَّسْتَغْفِرُوْا لِلْمُشْرِکِیْنَ وَلَوْ کَانُوْٓا اُولِیْ قُرْبٰی مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَیَّنَ لَھُمْ اَنَّھُمْ اَصْحٰبُ الْجَحِیْمِ۔ وَمَا کَانَ اسْتِغْفَارُ اِبْرٰہِیْمَ لِاَبِیْہِ اِلَّا عَنْ مَّوْعِدَۃٍ وَّعَدَھَآ اِیَّاہُ فَلَمَّا تَـبَیَّنَ لَہٓ اَنَّہ عَدُوٌّ لِّلّٰہِ تَبَرَّاَ مِنْہُ اِنَّ اِبْرٰہِیْمَ لَاَوَّاہٌ حَلِیْمٌ۔ } … It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are close relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the companions of Hellfire. And the seeking of forgiveness by Ibrahim for his father was only because of a promise he had made to him, but when it became clear to him that he was an enemy to Allah, he dissociated himself from him. Indeed, Ibrahim was most tender-hearted, forbearing.