1/100. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 241 — Ghusl with Plaited Hair
Regarding The Ghusl For Janabah
Hadith About Ghusl and Plaited Hair: Aisha’s Clear Description
Sunan Abi Dawud : 241
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 241
حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ مَهْدِيٍّ - عَنْ زَائِدَةَ بْنِ قُدَامَةَ، عَنْ صَدَقَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا جُمَيْعُ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ، - أَحَدُ بَنِي تَيْمِ اللَّهِ بْنِ ثَعْلَبَةَ - قَالَ دَخَلْتُ مَعَ أُمِّي وَخَالَتِي عَلَى عَائِشَةَ فَسَأَلَتْهَا إِحْدَاهُمَا كَيْفَ كُنْتُمْ تَصْنَعُونَ عِنْدَ الْغُسْلِ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ وُضُوءَهُ لِلصَّلاَةِ ثُمَّ يُفِيضُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ وَنَحْنُ نُفِيضُ عَلَى رُءُوسِنَا خَمْسًا مِنْ أَجْلِ الضَّفْرِ .
Jumay' ibn Umayr Narrated from:
Accompanied by my mother and aunt I entered upon Aisha. One of them asked her: How did you do while taking a bath? Aisha replied: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed ablution (in the beginning) as he did for prayer. He then poured (water) upon his head three times. But we poured water upon our heads five times due to plaits.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 241In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 241English translation : Book 1, Hadith 241
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 241
This hadith focuses on ghusl, especially how water was poured over the head. Aisha was asked how they used to bathe, and she gave a clear answer from what she knew. She said the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم began with ablution like the ablution for prayer, then poured water over his head three times. She also explained that they poured water over their heads five times because of plaits. So the main lesson is practical and simple: ghusl is done with care, and the condition of the hair may require more attention. The hadith about ghusl with plaited hair shows that purification is not rushed. The goal is to wash properly, while keeping the action tied to what was reported.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ghusl may begin with ablution like the ablution for prayer.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم poured water over his head three times in this report.
- Aisha mentioned extra pouring because of plaited hair.
- Questions about purification were answered with practical detail.
