that through which the skin behind it can be seen, while thick hair is that through which it cannot be seen.

Fine hair, then, and what lies beneath it must be washed, because when what lies beneath it is visible, it forms part of that by which one faces another. As for thick hair, only its outer surface must be washed, not what lies beneath it, because one faces another only by means of its outer surface.

Likewise, the hair on the face must be washed, such as the moustache, the tuft of hair beneath the lower lip, (1) the eyelashes, the eyebrows, and the sideburns. It is recommended to run the fingers through thick hair, because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would run his fingers through his beard during ablution. (2)

along with whatever hangs down from it; then his hands along with the elbows, …………………

His statement, “along with whatever hangs down from it”: “hangs down” means descends.

The apparent meaning of the author’s words is that this applies even if it hangs down a considerable distance. Thus, if a man were to have a beard longer than is customary among people, he must wash its fine hair and the outer surface of its thick hair.

His statement, “then his hands along with the elbows,” means the right hand and then the left. He did not mention beginning with the right here, because that has already preceded under the recommended practices of ablution.

His statement, “along with the elbows,” is an expression that differs from the apparent wording of Allah’s statement: “and your hands up to the elbows” [al-Ma'idah 5:6]. For it is well known among the scholars that the beginning point of a limit is included, whereas its endpoint is not. That is, if you say to someone, “You have from this to this,” then what follows “from” belongs to him, while what follows “to” does not belong to him. Thus, the apparent meaning of the verse is that the elbows are not included. However, they said that “up to” in the verse means “along with,” and they cited as its parallel