Is it obligatory for a woman to undo her hair plaits (naqd) when performing the major ablution (Ghusl) following menstruation (Hayd)?
Chapter on Ghusl from Janabah (Major Impurity)
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The obligation of undoing hair plaits for Ghusl following menstruation is a subject of differing opinions among scholars. Some scholars, including Hasan and Tawus, hold that it is obligatory, relying on narrations where the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed Aisha, while she was menstruating, to take her water and lote-tree leaves and comb (Imtishat), which implies the hair must be unbraided. The foundational principle supports obligation to ensure water reaches all required areas, which was exempted only for Janabah due to its frequent occurrence.
Supporting text
The view held by the majority of jurists, and considered the correct one, is that undoing the hair for menses is recommended (mustahabb) but not obligatory. This is based on a narration from Umm Salamah where she asked about undoing her hair for both Janabah and Hayd, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) gave the same answer as for Janabah—that three handfuls are sufficient. This narration explicitly negates obligation. Further evidence suggests that if undoing the hair were obligatory, it would have been explicitly mentioned in the detailed instructions provided by the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding purification after menses, as withholding necessary instruction at the point of need is impermissible.