Fatigue and the potential for injury were taken into consideration when Robinson decided Al, Richie Gray and John Barclay will not be available for Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh will be without Ross Ford and Allan Jacobsen for the rest of the Magners League campaign.
The five players who were key men in Scotland's disappointing Six Nations matches, will train with their respective clubs but will not be able to participate in contact sessions.
Robinson said: "This is a decision that's not been taken lightly.
"It's a reflection on the season and the previous seasons they've had and it's done on an individual basis.
"I've got to look at what is right for the players, what is right for the future, what is right for Scotland.
"I believe there will be benefits over the next couple of years and that is why I believe the decision is the right decision.
"It's not just solely around the World Cup."
Robinson made the decision together with Scottish Rugby Union director of performance Graham Lowe and team doctor James Robson.
Lowe was influential in the decision for 22 New Zealand players to be made unavailable for Super Rugby matches prior to the 2007 World Cup, when the All Blacks exited at the quarter-final stage.
The New Zealander said: "It's very different.
"This is very targeted in the group that have been identified."
Al, who missed the early part of the season following knee surgery, has been withdrawn in part because of a wrist injury he has been carrying and the Warriors and Scotland skipper will undergo a scan on Thursday.
His knee and Achilles are also a cause for concern Scotland medical staff believe will benefit from rest.
John Barclay has Achilles and back complaints which are being monitored by medical staff at Murrayfield and Glasgow.
In addition, Glasgow wing Max Evans has elbow and groin problems which require treatment and Chris Paterson's fitness is also being monitored, following his serious kidney injury in February 2010.
Neither player have been withdrawn from selection.
Richie Gray, meanwhile, has been rested, with Robinson anticipating the 21-year-old second row could be required to play non-stop rugby for many years to come.
Richie's performances in the Six Nations led many to suggest he would be a certainty for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Robinson added: "This is for his development for the World Cup, but also for future matches - it's looking ahead to two, three years time as well."
Both Glasgow and Edinburgh have four matches remaining in the league this season but are struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Robinson said the teams' league position was considered, but players may have been withdrawn even if the Scottish clubs had been challenging for honours.
He added: "We would be looking at this decision even if they were competing for something; we would have had to have this discussion."
Glasgow head coach Sean Lineen and Nick Scrivener, the interim head coach of Edinburgh, were informed of the decision after Scotland's final Six Nations match against Italy.
Robinson said: "They were disappointed and naturally disappointed, because they want their players to play for the club, but they understood."
Robinson insisted Glasgow and Edinburgh will benefit from the players resting now.
He added: "Post-World Cup, I believe you're going to get a better player coming back ready to play for the pro teams."
Robinson has no such control over exiled players including Kelly Brown (Saracens), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Hugo Southwell (Stade Francais) and Nathan Hines (Leinster), but is in discussions over their management.
Meanwhile, two key players could be nearing returns to action.
Glasgow centre Graham Morrison, who missed the Six Nations with a knee injury, could be named when the Warriors announce their team for Saturday's match at Aironi.
Chris Cusiter, who has endured a lengthy absence with a knee problem, is continuing to be monitored, although Robinson could not indicate when the scrum-half would return.