Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
And nothing prevents their contributions from being accepted from them except that they disbelieved in Allâh and in His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and that they came not to As-Salât (the prayer) except in a lazy state, and that they offer not contributions but unwillingly.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
وَمَاwamāAnd not
مَنَعَهُمْmanaʿahumprevents them
أَنanthat
تُقْبَلَtuq'balais accepted
مِنْهُمْmin'humfrom them
نَفَقَـٰتُهُمْnafaqātuhumtheir contributions
إِلَّآillāexcept
أَنَّهُمْannahumthat they
كَفَرُوا۟kafarūdisbelieve
بِٱللَّهِbil-lahiin Allah
وَبِرَسُولِهِۦwabirasūlihiand in His Messenger
وَلَاwalāand not
يَأْتُونَyatūnathey come
ٱلصَّلَوٰةَl-ṣalata(to) the prayer
إِلَّاillāexcept
وَهُمْwahumwhile they
كُسَالَىٰkusālā(are) lazy
وَلَاwalāand not
يُنفِقُونَyunfiqūnathey spend
إِلَّاillāexcept
وَهُمْwahumwhile they
كَـٰرِهُونَkārihūna(are) unwilling
Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim — Hafiz Abdus Salam Bin Muhammad Bhutvi
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.
(Ayah54) {وَمَامَنَعَهُمْاَنْتُقْبَلَمِنْهُمْنَفَقٰتُهُمْ …:} In this verse, three reasons have been mentioned for their charities not being accepted: First, that their hearts are devoid of faith in Allah and His Messenger; rather, they deny both, and their disbelief is evident from their words. Second, the bodily testimony of faith is prayer, and even that they do not perform with happiness and enthusiasm, but reluctantly and lazily, only to show off their faith. Their coming with laziness is proof that if in front of people, they pray, but if alone, they leave it. See Surah An-Nisa (142). Third, even the financial worship they do not perform willingly, but under compulsion, considering it a penalty. See Surah Al-Baqarah (264). Now, how can the wealth they spend be accepted in the presence of Allah Almighty? True believers give zakat to purify their wealth and to attain peace of heart, as He said: «خُذْمِنْاَمْوَالِهِمْصَدَقَةًتُطَهِّرُهُمْوَتُزَكِّيْهِمْبِهَاوَصَلِّعَلَيْهِمْاِنَّصَلٰوتَكَسَكَنٌلَّهُمْ »[ التوبۃ : ۱۰۳ ] "Take charity from their wealth, by which you will purify them and cleanse them, and pray for them; indeed, your prayer is a source of peace for them."
Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan — Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf
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.
54. 1. In this, three reasons for the non-acceptance of their charities have been mentioned: first, their disbelief which leads to sinfulness; second, performing prayer with laziness, so they neither hope for reward from prayer nor do they fear any punishment for abandoning it, because hope and fear are also signs of faith from which they are deprived; and third, spending with reluctance, and how can an action be accepted in which there is no satisfaction of the heart? In any case, these three reasons are such that even one of them is sufficient for the non-acceptance of a deed. So, when all three reasons are combined, then what doubt can there be about the rejection of such a deed in the court of Allah?
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
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.
54. The only reason their expenditures are not accepted is that they have disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger, and when they come to prayer, they come lazily, and when they spend, they spend unwillingly [58].
[58] The Reason for Charity Not Being Accepted:
During the declaration of disassociation from the polytheists and their evacuation from the region, Allah Almighty had said that if they embrace faith, establish prayer, and pay zakat, then let them go their way. That is, if these three things are found, they will be considered Muslims and their inner matters are left to Allah. Even in these three matters, these hypocrites did not meet the standard. They did not believe in the promises of Allah and His Messenger. Therefore, their faith in Allah and His Messenger became doubtful and tantamount to denial. When they come to prayer, their disposition is so heavy and sluggish as if they are going to perform forced labor, and if they have to give charity, it is as if they are paying a penalty or fine. Then why should the charity of such people be accepted? Moreover, such charity cannot benefit them in the Hereafter; rather, it can certainly harm them.
