It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: I heard a man seeking forgiveness for his parents while they were both polytheists. I said: "Why are you praying for forgiveness for your parents when they are polytheists?" He said: "Did Sayyiduna Ibrahim (peace be upon him) not seek forgiveness for his father while he was a polytheist?" So I mentioned this to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), upon which this verse was revealed: "It is not for the Prophet and those who believe to ask forgiveness for the polytheists, even if they are relatives, after it has become clear to them that they are the people of Hellfire. And Ibrahim's (peace be upon him) asking forgiveness 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 of Allah, he disassociated himself from him. Indeed, Ibrahim (peace be upon him) was tender-hearted and forbearing" [Surah al-Tawbah: 113 - 114] . This hadith is sahih in its chain, and the two Shaykhs did not record it.