the scholars on the matter.

5 – Regarding his words, “unless you are fasting”: the exception refers only to inhaling water into the nose, for it has no effect on perfecting the ablution or on interlacing the fingers. As a general rule, an exception applies to everything that precedes it in the sentence unless a specific proof limits it to part of what came before, as is the case in this ḥadith.

6 – Regarding his words, “Perform the ablution thoroughly …”: although the command is addressed to a single person, it is meant for the entire ummah, and the same holds true for all legal commands and prohibitions. Rulings do not attach to individuals as such; rather, they relate to the underlying meanings and effective causes that warranted them—unless there is evidence restricting the ruling to a particular individual, such as the incident of Abū Burdah and his sacrificial animal (udhiyah).