rather, it applies generally to all fighting that takes place during a sacred month. A similar benefit appears in the Prophet’s words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—when he was asked about performing ablution with seawater:

“Its water is pure and purifying.”

He repeated the word “water” rather than merely saying, “Yes, perform ablution with it,” lest anyone suppose that the ruling applied exclusively to those asking, owing to some particular circumstance. Thus, instead of saying, “Yes, perform ablution,” he gave a general answer that attaches the ruling and the purifying quality to seawater itself, as such. This conveys that the ruling remains in force at all times and applies to the entire Muslim community, dispelling any supposition that it is restricted to the circumstances that prompted the question. Reflect on this, for it is exquisite.

Likewise, in the verse, when He said:

“Fighting therein is a grave matter,”

He made “a grave matter” the predicate of “fighting therein,” so that the ruling applies to it generally. A pronoun would not convey this. Similar to this are the words of Allah Most High:

“As for those who hold fast to the Book and establish prayer—We do not let the reward of those who set things right go to waste.”

He did not say “their reward,” thereby attaching this ruling to their defining quality: that they set things right. The pronoun contains nothing indicating that quality. Similar to this, but subtler in meaning, are the words of Allah Most High:

“They ask you about menstruation