Transliteration:( Rabbi innahunna adlalna kaseeram minan naasi faman tabi'anee fa innahoo minnee wa man 'asaanee fa innaka Ghafoorur Raheem )
36. 'My Lord, verily the idols have led astray many people [79], so whoever follows me is surely from me [80], and whoever disobeys me, indeed You are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful [81].'
The verse clarifies that idols were the reason people went astray, but not because of any power in the idols themselves.
Idols are lifeless, mute objects; they do not speak or act.
The blame lies upon those who ascribed divinity to them, not on the idols themselves.
Hazrat Ibrahim عليه السلام prays for those who follow him to be counted as part of his spiritual lineage.
He also requests intercession on their behalf so that Allah Almighty forgives their sins.
This dua includes all true believers until the Day of Judgement.
It also teaches that believers are under the protective shade of the Prophets, and receive divine blessings due to their devotion.
The phrase “You are Most Forgiving, Most Merciful” does not include the infidels directly.
It suggests that if Allah wills, He may guide disbelievers to faith and repentance, after which He can forgive them.
The verse does not include a prayer for the forgiveness of those who die in disbelief, only for those who eventually come to faith.
The tafsir of Surah Ibrahim verse 36 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Ibrahim ayat 35 which provides the complete commentary from verse 35 through 36.
(14:36) My Lord! They have caused[48] many people to go astray. Now, if anyone follows my way, he is from me; and if anyone follows a way opposed to mine, then surely You are Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”[49]
48. This is a figurative way of saying that idols have been the means of turning many people away from Allah’s way into the ways of deviation.
49. This forbearance shown towards those who followed a different way from the right way is an instance of Prophet Abraham’s (peace be upon him) leniency to mankind. He left their case to the Forgiveness and Mercy of Allah for he could not bear to see them under divine scourge. Another instance of this has been cited in Surah Houd. When the angels were on their way to destroy the wicked people of Lot, Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) began to plead for them: Abraham began to dispute with Us concerning the people of Lot for he was tender hearted and merciful. (Surah Hud, Ayat 74-75). Likewise Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) was so tender hearted that even when Allah will show to him that his followers had deviated from the right way, he will plead their case: Now if you punish them, they are your own servants, and if you forgive them, you are All-Mighty and All-Wise. (Surah Al-Maidah, Ayat 118).
[662]- i.e., of my religion.
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