Iltimās is a gentle request, often addressed to a peer. For example, saying lā tataʿajjal (“do not hurry”) to a friend may be a courteous plea rather than an authoritarian prohibition.
The distinction from duʿāʾ depends mainly on the relation between speaker and addressee. The former is addressed humbly to the divine or superior; the latter is a request between peers. Both demonstrate contextual transfer of the prohibitive form.
UsageAddressee relationIntended force
Basic prohibitionCommanding stanceForbid
ThreatDefiant addresseeWarn of consequences
SupplicationGodHumble prayer
EntreatyPeerCourteous request