Al-Mu'minun Verse 4

those who pay alms-tax;[[ Zakâh means purification and growth. Paying alms-tax and charity are forms of purifying one’s wealth. ]]

and those who give zakah,

and at almsgiving are active

who pay the prescribed alms,

And those who for the sake of purification are doers.

Who are active in deeds of charity;

who observe Zakah;

Who strive for betterment;

And who pay the (obligatory) charity.

carry out their [duty of] zakat,

They are in a constant effort to give alms and purify their own selves and wealth.

And who act conscientiously for the sake of purity (and regularly present the Zakât),

And those who to the charity/purification , they are making/doing.

And who pay the (obligatory) charity.

And who shun vain talk,

And those who pay the Zakat.

And who shun what is vain,

And who are givers of poor-rate,

And who are payers of the poor-due;

pay their religious tax

who give charity,

And those who pay the Zakah.

those who pay the zakat;

Those who work for charity.

and who fulfil payment of alms,

And those who pay the Zakah.

Most commentators say that the meaning here is the Zakah that is paid on wealth, even though this Ayah was revealed in Makkah, and Zakah was ordained in Al-Madinah in the year 2 H.

The apparent meaning is that the Zakah that was instituted in Al-Madinah is the one based upon the Nusub and the specific amounts, apart from which it seems that the basic principle of Zakah was enjoined in Makkah. As Allah says in Surah Al-An`am, which was also revealed in Makkah;

وَءَاتُواْ حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ

but pay the due thereof on the day of their harvest, (6;141)

It could be that what is meant here by Zakah is purification of the soul from Shirk and filth, as in the Ayah;

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّـهَا

وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّـهَا

Indeed he succeeds who purifies himself (Zakkaha). And indeed he fails who corrupts himself. (91;9-10)

It could be that both meanings are intended, purification of the soul and of one's wealth, because that is part of the purification of the soul, and the true believer is one who pays attention to both matters.

And Allah knows best.

And Allah says;

وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَافِظُونَ