Women undoing their braids in ghusl

Question

It is written in Bihishti Zewar (“Heavenly Ornaments”) that in the ghusl for purification, if a woman’s hair is plaited in a braid, it is not necessary to undo it, provided the water reaches the roots of the hair. [But] the water cannot reach the roots without undoing the braid. I request your attention to clarifying this situation, that is, this issue. [And also:] if the hair is tied up in a bun, can one pray?

Answer

When the braid is plaited, it is possible for water to reach the roots of the hair even without undoing it — indeed, this is what actually happens, as the observation and experience of many women show, and it is also the saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. However, if someone’s condition is as you have written, she must undo it — so it is in Maraqi al-Falah.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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