Why didn’t the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, pray for the guidance of his uncle, Abu Talib, when he was on his deathbed, just as he prayed for the guidance of one of the two Umars? And why didn’t he pray for the guidance of everyone in his era and those who came after him?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed for guidance for some peoples, and Allah answered his prayer. He refrained from seeking forgiveness for his uncle after Allah forbade him from doing so. He also informed that every prophet has a prayer that is answered, and he saved his prayer as intercession for his Ummah on the Day of Judgment. Not all of the Prophet's prayers, peace and blessings be upon him, were answered, as he asked his Lord for three things, and He granted him two and withheld one. Allah informed His Prophet that guiding people is not by his will or by compelling them to believe. The entire matter is in the hand of Allah Almighty, and He inspires His Prophet to supplicate in accordance with what He has decreed and ordained. The Prophet ceased praying against certain peoples when the verse was revealed: "Not for you, [O Muhammad, but for Allah], is the decision whether He turns in forgiveness to them or punishes them; and indeed, they are wrongdoers." (Quran 3:128). One should busy oneself with the worship of Allah and adhere to the straight path to be with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in Paradise.