Isma'il narrated to us, Ayyub narrated to us, from Abu al-Zubayr, from 'Ubayd ibn 'Umayr, who said: It reached 'Aishah that 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar used to order women, when they performed ghusl, to unbraid their hair. She said: "How strange of Ibn 'Umar, ordering women, when they perform ghusl, to unbraid their heads! Why does he not order them to shave them (6)? I used to perform ghusl with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and I would do no more than pour three pourings of water over my head." (7) The four Imams agreed that unbraiding it is not obligatory; this is due to the hadith of Umm Salamah, that she said to the Prophet (peace be upon him): "I am a woman who keeps my hair tightly braided; should I unbraid it for janabah?" He said: "No, it is sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water on your head, then pour water over yourself, and you will be purified." Narrated by Muslim (8). This applies unless there is in her hair substance or sidr (lote tree leaves) that prevents water from reaching what is beneath it, in which case it is obligatory to remove it. If it is light and does not prevent [the water], then it is not obligatory. In this regard, the man and the woman are equal; the woman is specifically mentioned (9) because, by custom, she is distinguished by having much hair and keeping it long. As for unbraiding it for ghusl from menstruation, our companions differed regarding its obligation. Among them are those who made it obligatory, which is the view of al-Hasan and Tawus, due to what was narrated from 'Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to her when she was menstruating: "Take your water and your sidr, and comb your hair (10)." Combing only occurs with hair that is not braided. In al-Bukhari (11): "Unbraid your head and comb it."
(5) In the original: "Ay, ajaban" (Oh, how strange). (6) In M, there is an addition: "their heads." It is not in the Musnad. (7) Recorded by Muslim, in: Chapter on the ruling of braids for a woman performing ghusl, from the Book of Menstruation. Sahih Muslim 1/260. And Ibn Majah, in: Chapter on what has been narrated regarding women's ghusl from janabah, from the Book of Purification. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/198. (8) Previously mentioned on page 290. (9) In M: "ukhtussat" (she was distinguished). (10) Recorded by al-Darimi, in: Chapter on the ghusl of the woman suffering from istihadah, from the Book of Purification. Sunan al-Darimi 1/197, with the wording: "Take your water and your sidr, then perform ghusl and wash thoroughly, then pour over your head until you reach the roots of the head." (11) Recorded by al-Bukhari, in: Chapter on a woman combing her hair when performing ghusl from menstruation, and Chapter on a woman unbraiding her hair when performing ghusl from menstruation, and Chapter on how a menstruating woman enters into ihram for Hajj and 'Umrah, from the Book of Menstruation; and in: Chapter on how a menstruating woman and a woman in post-partum bleeding enter into ihram etc., from the Book of Hajj; and in: Chapter on 'Umrah on the night of al-Hasbah and others, and Chapter on performing 'Umrah after Hajj without hady, from the Book of 'Umrah; and in: Chapter on the Farewell Pilgrimage, from the Book of Military Expeditions. Sahih al-Bukhari 1/86, 87, 2/172, 3/4, 5, 5/221. It was also recorded by Muslim, in: Chapter on the explanation of the types of ihram etc., from the Book of Hajj. Sahih Muslim =
