This is something that was acceptable and usual according to the customs of that time. Customs vary and Muslims may be living in a place where people do not do that, or they regard the one who does that as imitating immoral people, so it should not be done. It was narrated that Umm Haani’ (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Makkah and he had four braids. Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1781; Abu Dawood, 4191; Ibn Maajah, 3631; classed as hasan by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Baari ; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Mukhtasar al-Shamaa’il , 23. Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: What is indicated by the hadeeth is that his hair usually came down to his shoulders, and sometimes it was so long that he wore it in braids, as was narrated by Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi with a hasan isnaad from Umm Haani’ who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ...