Tafsir of Al Imran 3:71

"Why do you mix the truth with falsehood?" means: why do you cover the truth with it, or why do you intermingle it with it? The letter 'ba' [in bil-batil] is connective. There are several opinions regarding the intended meaning:

First: That the intention is their distortion of the Torah and the Gospel. This was stated by al-Hasan and Ibn Zayd.

Second: That the intention is their outward display of Islam while concealing hypocrisy. This was stated by Ibn Abbas and Qatadah.

Third: That the intention is [their] belief in Moses and Jesus, while disbelieving in Muhammad—peace and blessings be upon them all.

Fourth: That the intention is what they know in their hearts regarding the truthfulness of his [Muhammad's]—may Allah exalt his mention—prophethood, alongside their outward display of rejecting him. This is from Abu Ali and Abu Muslim.

It is recited as talbisuna with a shaddah (doubled 'ba'), and it carries the same meaning as the un-doubled form. Yahya ibn Wathab recited it as talbasuna (without the shaddah), which derives from "I wore the garment," with the 'ba' acting in the sense of "with." The meaning of the "wearing" is to be characterized by a thing and to be actively engaged in it. This usage has appeared in what al-Bukhari narrated in the Sahih from Aisha, that he—may Allah exalt his mention—said: "The one who prides himself on what he has not been given is like the wearer of two garments of falsehood."

"And you conceal the truth," meaning: the prophethood of Muhammad—may Allah exalt his mention—and what you have found in your scriptures regarding his attributes and the glad tidings of him, "while you know [it is the truth]." It has been said: "you know" refers to the matters through which religious obligation becomes valid; however, this is not a significant view.