I say, and with God's success: The braid: it is the tuft, and every strand of a woman's hair that is braided: meaning gathered, it is not necessary for her to undo it during washing, nor to wet it according to the more correct opinion if its roots are wet - it is required to ensure water reaches the roots of the hair only - this is if her braids are twisted, but if they are undone, it is necessary to ensure water reaches the middle of the hair: as in the beard; due to the absence of hardship; as for a man's braid, it must be undone; acting in accordance with the emphasis in the verse without the specific necessity in his case. And the evidence for the non-obligation on a woman during washing: what was narrated by Umm Salama, may God be pleased with her: "She said: I said, O Messenger of God, I am a woman who tightly braids my hair, should I undo it for the ritual washing? He said: No, it is sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water over your head," in Sahih Muslim 1: 259, and the wording is his, and in Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 1: 122, and Al-Muntaka 1: 35, and Al-Jami' Al-Tirmidhi 1: 176, and its completion is in Nasb Al-Rayah 1: 80. See also: Sharh Al-Waqayah p. 94, and Ghinayat Al-Mustamli p. 48, and God knows best.