al-Bāṭil is interpreted in four ways:
1. al-Bāṭil is used in the sense of kizb/taḳẕīb (falsehood, denial); as in the following verses:
Thus, the mubṭilūn/bāṭil-people (that is, those who deny resurrection after death) are the ones who have lost. (al-Mu'min 40:78)
At that time, the mubṭilūn/bāṭil-people (that is, the deniers—who are the Jews upon whom is Allah's curse) were in doubt. (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:48)
Falsehood (bāṭil) cannot approach it from before it or from behind it (that is, the Qur'an is not denied by the Scriptures before it, nor will there come a Book after it to deny it). (Fuṣṣilat 41:42)
2. The word al-Ibṭāl (to render null) is used in the sense of iḥbāṭ (to make void); as in the following verses:
Do not invalidate (ibṭāl) your charities with reminders or injury (that is, do not render them void)! (al-Baqara 2:264)
O you who have iman (faith)! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger, and do not invalidate (ibṭāl) your deeds (that is, do not render your deeds void). (Muḥammad 47:33)
3. The word al-Bāṭil is used in the sense of shirk (associating partners with God)—which has no firm foundation; as in the following verses:
Say: "Truth has come, and bāṭil has vanished (that is, shirk: the worship of devils has vanished). Indeed, bāṭil (that is, shirk) is ever vanishing." (al-Isrāʾ 17:81)
For shirk has neither a root in the earth nor a branch in the sky. Thus, it is destined to perish.
Those who believe in bāṭil (that is, worship devils: affirm shirk) and disbelieve in Allah... They are the losers. (al-ʿAnkabūt 29:52)
Now they believe in bāṭil (that is, they worship devils: they affirm shirk)... (al-Naḥl 16:72)
4. The word al-Bāṭil is used in the sense of ẓulm (wrongdoing, injustice); as in the following verse:
Do not consume one another's wealth among yourselves in bāṭil (that is, injustice), nor offer it to the authorities (as bribes)! (al-Baqara 2:188)
A similar example is found in Sūrat al-Nisāʾ.