What is the explanation of the hadith: “It reached ‘Aishah that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr was commanding women, when they perform ghusl, to undo their hair. So she said: ‘How astonishing is this son of ‘Amr! He commands women, when they perform ghusl, to undo their hair. Does he not then command them to shave their heads! Indeed, I used to perform ghusl, I and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, from a single vessel, and I would not do more than pour three pourings over my head’?”

A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her) disapproved of Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both) for commanding women to undo their braids for major ritual impurity (janabah). She clarified that she and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform ritual ablution from a single vessel, and she would not do more than pour three handfuls of water over her head. This Hadith indicates that it is not obligatory to undo one's braids for ghusl (ritual bath) from janabah, unless the hair is braided in such a way that prevents water from reaching its roots. It is, however, recommended to undo one's braids for menstruation, but not for janabah, if there is no impediment, because menstruation does not occur frequently.