How should the hair of a deceased woman be managed before burial?

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The hair of the deceased woman must be washed, even if braided, in which case it should be undone, washed, and then braided into three plaits: one for each side (the two temples) and one for the forelock (nasiyah). This braided hair is then cast behind her back. This view is held by Al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and Ibn al-Mundhir. The evidence is the narration from Umm 'Atiyyah, who said, 'We braided her hair into three plaits and cast it behind her,' referring to the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). This is confirmed by narrations found in Muslim and Al-Bukhari, noting that the washing occurred by the command and teaching of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).