Can a Woman Braid Her Hair Just Before Performing a Ghusl to Avoid to Wash All of It?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: As salam alaykum,

1. Does a woman’s hair need to be braided prior the act which has resulted in Ghusl (relations with her husband…) or can she just breaid them before she enters the shower?

2. Is it still valid if a female has her hair in a “bun” whereby the top/root of her head will predominantly be wet but the rest of her long hair will not be?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

(1) No, she only needs to have her hair braided before beginning her shower.

(2) No, the dispensation relates to braids and not simply having your hair tied up. As such, she would need to let her hair down and wash all of it.

Please also see: The Ritual Bath (ghusl): Obligatory, Recommended, and Disliked Acts

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani