Q. When a woman needs to take a bath for purification, she is often troubled if her hair is very long, particularly if the time at her disposal is short. This leads to some problems. Is there a way out? Is it permissible for a woman to wear her hair short?
Khalifa
A. Let me first of all clarify that there is no Islamic requirement that women must wear their hair long. In some Muslim communities, people feel that Islam prohibits that a woman should cut her hair, or wear it short. This is merely a cultural requirement in those communities. It is not a religious requirement. This means that a Muslim woman could wear her hair at any length she prefers.
When a woman has finished her menstrual period, she is required to take a bath or a shower. Both husband and wife are required to do the same after sexual intercourse. This involves washing one’s head and body with water. However, the problem of a woman with long hair is not a modern one. It has been there all the time. Hence, we have clear guidance from the Prophet (peace be upon him) on this point.
A woman said to the Prophet: “Messenger of God! I am a woman who ties my hair in plaits. Should I undo my plaits for ghusl, i.e. the bath required to remove the state of ceremonial impurity?” The Prophet answered: “No. It is sufficient for you to use the fill of your cupped hands three times, and then wash the rest of your body, and you will be in a state of purity.” (Related by Muslim, Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi.) This makes it clear that a woman needs to take water in her hand three times and wet her hair, rubbing it at root. There is no need to wash her hair fully.
Another Hadith confirming this is reported by Aishah who heard that Abdullah ibn Umar advised women to undo their hair when they need to do the ghusl. She remarked: “It is amazing that Ibn Umar is asking women to undo their hair. Why does he not ask them to shave their heads? I used to do the ghusl with God’s Messenger, using the water in one container, and I would do no more than wash my head with the fill of my hand three times.”
(Related by Muslim and Ahmad.)
