Then Allah ordered them to first to go to Rasool Allah [saww]...

Then Allah ordered them to first to go to Rasool Allah [saww], and then to ask Allah for the forgiveness. And Rasool Allah [saww] must also ask for their forgiveness. Allah told those Sahaba, that if they act upon these steps (i.e. to include Rasool Allah [saww] in their request for forgiveness), only after that they will find Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful. Now the following questions arise in the mind: It was a matter between Allah and those Sahaba.

Rasool Allah [saww] had nothing to do with it. Then still why he [saww] had been involved in this case? Is Allah dependant on the "Astaghfar" of Rasool Allah [saww], in order to give forgiveness to anyone? Then why not those Sahaba DIRECTLY asked the forgiveness, and why not Allah forgave them DIRECTLY? Allah himself asks Muhammad [saww] to do "Astaghfar" for others. But why Allah (swt) want to give "Extra Duty" to Muhammad (saww)?

After all, Muhammad (saww) didn't commit any mistake, they why this "Extra Burdon" on him to do "Astaghfar" for others? NOTE: This is not the only place where Allah asked His beloved Rasool [saww] to ask forgiveness on the behalf of others, but Allah has been constantly asking His beloved Rasool [saww], in the Qur'an, to do Astaghfar for his Ummah. [Pickthal 3:159] ............ So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them. [Pickthal 4:106-107] And seek forgiveness of Allah (for others). Lo!

Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful. And plead not on behalf of (people) who deceive themselves. [Pickthal 8:33] But Allah would not punish them while thou wast with them, nor will He punish them while they seek forgiveness. [Pickthal 9:80-84] Ask forgiveness for them (O Muhammad), or ask not forgiveness for them; though thou ask forgiveness for them seventy times Allah will not forgive them. . And never (O Muhammad) pray for one of them who dieth, nor stand by his grave.

[Pickthal 9:103] Take alms of their wealth, wherewith thou mayst purify them and mayst make them grow, and pray for them. Lo! thy prayer is an assuagement for them. [Pickthal 9:113] It is not for the Prophet, and those who believe, to pray for the forgiveness of idolaters even though they may be near of kin (to them) after it hath become clear that they are people of hell-fire.

[Pickthal 24:62] So, if they ask thy leave for some affair of theirs, give leave to whom thou wilt of them, and ask for them forgiveness of Allah.