He—may Allah have mercy on him—was also asked:

Concerning the report that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones and not to hold back any of my clothing or hair.”

In another narration:

“And not to gather up any of my clothing or hair.”

What is meant by “holding back” (kaff) and “gathering up” (kaft)? Does braiding the hair count as gathering it up?

He answered:

Kaft means gathering and drawing together. Kaff is similar: it means preventing the hair and clothing from prostrating. A man is instructed not to pray with his hair tucked up on his head or coiled and tied up. Concerning this, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“One who prays with his hair tied up is like one who prays with his hands bound.”

This is because the clothing of the one whose hands are bound does not prostrate, and the hair of the one whose hair is tied up does not prostrate. As for braiding the hair while leaving it hanging down, this does not count as gathering it up. And Allah knows best.