سُوْرَةُ فُصِّلَتۡ

Surah Fussilat (41) — Ayah 7

Explained in detail · Meccan · Juz 24 · Page 477

ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ ﴿7﴾
Those who give not the Zakât and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter.
ٱلَّذِينَ alladhīna Those who
لَا (do) not
يُؤْتُونَ yu'tūna give
ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ l-zakata the zakah
وَهُم wahum and they
بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ bil-ākhirati in the Hereafter
هُمْ hum they
كَـٰفِرُونَ kāfirūna (are) disbelievers

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The tafsir of this verse may be read with the following verses.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

7. 1. This surah is Makki. Zakat was made obligatory in the second year after Hijrah, so here it either refers to charity, the command for which continued to be given to Muslims even in Makkah, just as the command for morning and evening prayers existed before, and then a year and a half before Hijrah, on the night of Isra, the command for five obligatory prayers was given. Or, by Zakat is meant the testimony of faith, through which the human soul is purified from the impurities of shirk. (Ibn Kathir)

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

7. Those who do not give zakat [6], and they are deniers of the Hereafter as well.

[6]
The Two Meanings of Zakat:

This phrase has two meanings. One, in the literal sense, zakā means growth, development, and becoming excellent, and zakī and zakiyy mean to purify the soul from spiritual impurities, corrupt beliefs, diseases, and vile morals, and to develop praiseworthy qualities. In this sense, the meaning of this phrase is that destruction is for those polytheists who do not purify themselves from their polytheistic beliefs. The second meaning, in the technical religious sense, is that such polytheists, by committing shirk, violate the rights of Allah, and by not paying zakat, violate the rights of people. And the root cause of both is that they deny accountability in the Hereafter.