Is washing the hair and wetting what has flowed down onto the body obligatory during Ghusl (ritual bath)?
Chapter on Ghusl from Janabah (Major Impurity)
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Washing what has flowed down from the hair and wetting the skin beneath is obligatory. This is the apparent position of the companions (Ashab) and the Madhhab of Imam Shafi'i. The evidence cited is the report from the Prophet, peace be upon him, stating: "Under every hair is impurity (Janaba); so wet the hair and cleanse the skin," narrated by Abu Dawud and others. Furthermore, because it is hair growing in an area subject to washing, its washing is obligatory, similar to the hair of the eyebrows and eyelashes.
Supporting text
It is not obligatory. This view is supported by the apparent meaning of the statement of Al-Khiraqi and the position of Abu Hanifa. The evidence provided is the Prophet's instruction to the woman: "It is sufficient for you to pour three handfuls over your head," especially when informed that her braids were tightly bound, which typically prevents the water from wetting the hair. Moreover, if wetting the hair were obligatory, it would necessitate undoing the braids to ensure washing reached everywhere. Additionally, hair is not considered a part of the animal body because it does not become impure upon death, lacks life, its mere touching by a woman does not invalidate ablution, nor does the husband's pronouncement of divorce by it, thus it is not required to be washed for Janaba like her clothes. The hadith regarding wetting the hair is narrated only by Al-Harith ibn Wajih, who is considered weak in narration from Malik ibn Dinar.