Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): "Why do you mix truth with falsehood and conceal the truth while you know?"
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
يَـٰٓأَهْلَyāahlaO People
ٱلْكِتَـٰبِl-kitābi(of) the Book
لِمَlimaWhy
تَلْبِسُونَtalbisūnado you mix
ٱلْحَقَّl-ḥaqathe truth
بِٱلْبَـٰطِلِbil-bāṭiliwith the falsehood
وَتَكْتُمُونَwataktumūnaand conceal
ٱلْحَقَّl-ḥaqathe truth
وَأَنتُمْwa-antumwhile you
تَعْلَمُونَtaʿlamūnaknow
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.
(Ayah 71){لِمَتَلْبِسُوْنَالْحَقَّبِالْبَاطِلِ …:} This is a reference to the religious misfortunes of the People of the Book. In the previous verse, it was mentioned that the scholars of the Jews, despite knowing the proofs of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) being a true prophet, are still disbelieving. Now here it is being stated that mixing truth with falsehood and concealing the truth has become their common practice. In the previous verse, their own misguidance was mentioned; in this verse, the mention is of leading others astray. (Razi) See also Surah Al-Baqarah (42). This is a lesson for reflection that the sectarian scholars and modernist individuals of our era, due to worldly and material motives and interests, are treating the Noble Qur’an in the same way as their predecessors treated the Torah and the Gospel. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) spoke absolutely the truth: [ لَتَتَّبِعُنَّسُنَنَمَنْكَانَقَبْلَكُمْ ][بخاری، أحادیث الأنبیاء، باب ما ذکر عن بنی إسرائیل : ۳۴۵۶ ] “You will surely follow the footsteps of the previous nations.”
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.
71. 1. In this, two major crimes of the Jews are pointed out and they are instructed to refrain from them. The first crime is mixing truth and falsehood, so that truth and falsehood are not clear to people. The second is concealing the truth, that is, hiding the attributes of the Prophet ﷺ which were written in the Torah, so that the truthfulness of the Prophet ﷺ would not at least become evident in this regard. And both these crimes they committed knowingly, which doubled their misfortune. The indication of their crimes is also given in Surah Al-Baqarah. Some commentators have kept the term "People of the Book" general, which includes both Jews and Christians, meaning both are instructed to refrain from the aforementioned crimes. According to others, it refers only to those Jewish tribes who resided in Madinah: Banu Qurayzah, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qaynuqa. The more authentic opinion seems to be this, because Muslims had direct dealings with them and they were at the forefront in opposing the Prophet ﷺ.
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.
The tafsir of this ayah is included with the following verse(s).
