Surah Ibrahim Tafseer

"O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind. But whoso follows me, he verily, is of me. And whoso disobeys me, still You are indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Ibrahim next mentioned that many among mankind were led astray because of idols, and he disowned those who worship them and referred their matter to Allah; if Allah wills, He will punish them, and if He wills, He will forgive them.

Isa, peace be upon him, said similar words,

إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ وَإِن تَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ فَإِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

If You punish them, they are Your servants, and if You forgive them, verily, You, only You are the Almighty, the All-Wise. (5:118)

This supplication refers this and all matters to Allah, not that it is actually going to happen.

Abdullah bin Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah recited Ibrahim's supplication,

رَبِّ إِنَّهُنَّ أَضْلَلْنَ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ النَّاسِ

O my Lord! They have indeed led astray many among mankind.,

and the supplication of Isa,

إِن تُعَذِّبْهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ عِبَادُكَ

If You punish them, they are Your servants. (5:118)

then raised his hands and said,

اللَّهُمَّ أُمَّتِي

اللَّهُمَّ أُمَّتِي

اللَّهُمَّ أُمَّتِي

O Allah, Save my Ummah!

O, Allah, Save my Ummah!

O, Allah, Save my Ummah!

and cried.

Allah said to the angel Jibril, "O Jibril, go to Muhammad, and Your Lord has more knowledge, and ask him what makes him cry."

Jibril came to the Prophet and asked him, and he repeated to him what he said (in his supplication).

Allah said, "Go to Muhammad and tell him this;

`We will make you pleased with your Ummah, O Muhammad, and will not treat them in a way you dislike."