Q: Please explain to me how a woman should wash her hair while performing Janabah Ghusl (full ritual bath to cleanse of sexual discharge). (Part No. 4; Page No. 139) Is washing all the hair Wajib (obligatory) or only part of the hair? Is washing the entire scalp Wajib? I sometimes feel pain when I wash all my head.

A: When performing Ghusl after menstruation, postpartum period, or Janabah (major ritual impurity related to sexual discharge), a woman must wash all her head by pouring water over it, or on the roots if the hair is plaited without having to undo it. Um Salamah narrated that she said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I am a woman who has closely plaited hair on my head. Should I undo it for taking Ghusl after Janabah or menstruation?' He (peace be upon him) said, 'No, it is enough for you to pour three handfuls of water over your head and then pour water over yourself, and you shall be purified.' (Related by Muslim) However, it is better to undo the plaited hair when performing Ghusl after menstruation or postpartum period to wash it with water and Sidr (lote tree or lotus jujube), because of the many Hadiths on this matter.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.