Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
(They are) dead, not alive; and they know not when they will be raised up.
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
أَمْوَٰتٌamwātun(They are) dead
غَيْرُghayrunot alive
أَحْيَآءٍۢ ۖaḥyāinnot alive
وَمَاwamāAnd not
يَشْعُرُونَyashʿurūnathey perceive
أَيَّانَayyānawhen
يُبْعَثُونَyub'ʿathūnathey will be resurrected
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.
21. 1 By "the dead" is meant those inanimate objects (stones) which are lifeless and without consciousness. And also the deceased righteous ones. Because being raised after death (which they have no awareness of) can only truly apply to the righteous, rather than to inanimate objects. They are not only called "dead" but it is further clarified that "they are not alive." From this statement of Allah, it is understood that after death occurs, no one can attain worldly life, nor does any connection with the world remain. 21. 2 Then how can benefit, reward, or recompense be expected from them?