"And Abraham’s seeking of forgiveness for his father was..." [up to] the verse.

Qatada said:

It was mentioned to us that a man said to the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): “Some of our fathers used to be good neighbors, maintain ties of kinship, free captives, and fulfill pledges; shall you not seek forgiveness for them?” He replied: “Yes, by Allah, I will seek forgiveness for my father just as Abraham sought forgiveness for his father.”

Then Allah (Glory be to Him) revealed: “And Abraham’s seeking of 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” — meaning, he died in his state of polytheism — “he disassociated himself from him. Indeed, Abraham was compassionate and forbearing.” Ibn Abbas said: “Al-Awwah (the compassionate) is the one who is certain in faith.” Ibn Mas’ud said: “He is the one who supplicates often.”

Muhammad [Ibn Abi Zamanin] said: Abu Ubayd mentioned that this interpretation is closer in meaning, because it is derived from at-ta’awwuh (sighing), which is a type of sound. From this is the saying of the poet:

‘And say “Oh” at her remembrance when I recall her, despite the distance of land and sky between us.’

Muhammad said: It is said: “Awi” (oh) with a quiescent waw and a kasra on the ha, and “Awwah” with a shadda. It is said: “Aha al-rajulu yu’awwihu” (the man sighed) when he says “Awi” due to a matter that is difficult for him. It is also said: “Ta’awwaha al-rajulu” (the man sighed), and “al-muta’awwih” is the one who laments.”