In Islamic Medicine, Hijama (wet cupping) is used by the
permission of Allah for the treatment of every type of physical and mential illness
or disease and its excellence is recorded in many of the Sahih Hadith.
There are basically two forms of cupping, wet and dry.
The procedure of Dry cupping involves heating up a glass cup shaped like a
miniature fish bowl with a flame. The warm glass cup is then placed on a fleshy
part of the body (normally the back) and the skin, blood vessels and muscle
underneath the cup is drawn upwards into it by the vacuum created inside the
cup. This leaves a characteristic round mark on the skin after the cup is
removed. This mark usually fades after a couple of days.
Wet cupping [Hijama] is only different in that tiny
incisions are made on the surface of the skin before the cup is reapplied.
Through the reapplication of the vacuum inside the cup, stagnated blood, other
toxins and heat is sucked out of the body through the incisions.
The benefits that Allah provides in Hijama are endless and due to its
stimulating and strengthening effects and cupping has been used successfully to
treat bowel conditions (IBS, constipation and diarrhoea), headaches, black
magic, back pain, arthritis, period pain, injuries, asthma, cellulite, fatigue
(ME), anaemia, depression and emotional problems, atrophy, sciatica, common
cold and flu, skin problems, blood pressure, menstruation problems in women,
weight loss, and more.
According to books translated from the works of Ibn Al
Qayyim (rahimullah) and others, administering Hijama between the shoulder
blades helps cure shoulder pain, pains in the upper arms and pains of the
throat. Hijama over the two posterior neck veins helps treat tremors of the
head, and other conditions of the head, for example, of the face, teeth, ears,
eyes, nose and throat.
Applying Hijama under the chin helps reduce face pain,
toothache, and throat pain and helps to cleanse the head when applied at the
proper time. Hijama on top of the foot helps against inflammation of the
testes, leg ulcers and eases suppressed menses. Cupping behind the knee helps
in the treatment of chronic abscesses, haemorrhoids and septic ulcers of the
leg and foot. Hijama on the inner thighs is a good treatment for irritation of
the back, gout and piles. Hijama can also help ease high blood pressure and
high blood sugar.
The excellence of Cupping (Hijama) as a remedy.
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (radhi Allahu anhu)
that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said, "If there is any good
in any of the remedies you use, it is in cupping [Hijama]."
Sunan Ibn Majah Book 31, Hadith 3605. Classed as Hasan by
Darussalam.
And also;
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that he
paid Al-Muqanna a visit during his illness and said, "I will not leave
till he gets cupped, for I heard Allah's Messenger (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam)
saying, "There is healing in cupping."
Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 600.
And also;
Jabir bin 'Abdullah (radhi Allahu anhu) also narrated
that, "I heard the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) saying, "If
there is any good in your medicines, then it is in a gulp of honey, a cupping
[Hijama] operation, or branding (cauterization), but I do not like to be
(cauterized) branded."
Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 603.
When to get cupped;
Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (radhi Allahu anhu); "The
Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said: If anyone has himself cupped on the
17th, 19th and 21st it will be a remedy for every disease."
Sunan Abi Dawood Book 28, Hadith 3852. Classed as Hasan
by Sh. Al Albani (rahimullah).
The 17th, 19th and 21st [of the month] mentioned here is
referring to the Lunar calendar.
It is generally understood that when the Moon is full, it
has the strongest possible gravitational pull on the earth and its inhabitants.
The effect in human beings is that the volatile bodily
fluids and humors are pulled into the uppermost part of the body during the 1
day either side of the full moon (and on the full moon). As the phases of the
full Moon subside to the 17th, 19th and 21st of the lunar month, the volatile
humours subside too and the underlying humours are pulled up into their place.
It is within these underlying bodily fluids and humours that the patient might
be suffering toxicity. Once these underlying humours come close to the skins
surface within the upper body, any toxicity or excess can easily be extracted
through Hijama.
This might also explain why the key sunnah Hijama points
are always located on the upper part of the body (above the waist).
However, it's important to note that the patient does not
need to wait for these dates if they are ill and have an urgent requirement to
get cupped. Cupping can be applied on any day.
Hijama points of application from the Sunnah.
Top, middle of the head (crown).
It was also narrated by Ibn Abbaas (radhi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was cupped on his head for an ailment he was
suffering from while he was in a state of Ihram. at a water place called Lahl
Jamal located on the road to Makkah. Ibn 'Abbas further said: Allah s Apostle
was cupped on his head for unilateral headache while he was in a state of
Ihram.
Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 602
Above the thigh [hip area].
Jabir ibn Abdullah (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that the
Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) had himself cupped above the
thigh for a contusion from which he suffered.
Sunan Abi Dawood Book 28, Hadith 3854. Classed as Sahih
by Sh. Al Albani (rahimullah).
Either side of the neck (at the back) and on the
shoulder.
It was narrated Anas ibn Malik that "The Prophet (sallAllahu
alayhi wasallam) had himself cupped three times in the veins at the sides of
the neck and on the shoulder. Ma'mar said: I got myself cupped, and I lost my
memory so much so that I was instructed Surat al-Fatihah by others in my
prayer. He had himself cupped at the top of his head."
Sunan Abi Dawood Book 28, Hadith 3851. Classed as Sahih
by Sh. Al Albani (rahimullah).
Top of the Foot.
It was narrated from Jabir (radhi Allahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) fell from his horse onto the truck of a palm tree and dislocated his foot. (One of the narrators) Waki’ said: “Meaning that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) was cupped because of that [on the surface of the foot] for bruising.”
Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 1, Book 31, Hadith 3485. Classed as Sahih by Darusalaam. Also recorded in Abi Dawood Book 10, Hadith 1833 and confirmed as Sahih by Sh. Al Albani (rahimullah).
More information can be found
here for general cupping points which are established by the Hijjaams.
Hijama for the one who is fasting;
There are a number of hadeeth on the matter of cupping during fasting and it seems as though it was initially outlawed.
It was narrated by Thawban that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wassallam) said, "A man who cups and a man who gets himself cupped break their fast."
Sunan Abi Dawood Book 13, Hadith 2364. Classed as Sahih by Sh. Al Albani (rahimullah).
The reason may have been due to the hardship and weakness it causes upon the body, and Allah Azzawajjal knows best. But there are also narrations in Al Bukhari which suggest that the Holy Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wassallam) was cupped while he was fasting.
Reference to Vol. 7, Book 71, Hadith 597.
And also;
It was narrated by Thabit Al-Bunani (radhi Allahu anhu)
that Anas bin Malik (radhi Allahu anhu) was asked whether they disliked the
cupping for a fasting person. He replied in the negative and said, "Only
if it causes weakness."
Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 3, Book 31, Number 161.
My personal advice is to avoid it during fasting hours if the days are long and you fear it will cause weakness. It can always be performed during the night instead. However, there is no harm in those who are strong having it performed.
Hijama is permitted for the one who is in Ihram;
It was also narrated by Ibn Abbaas (radhi Allahu anhu)
that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was cupped on his head for an
ailment he was suffering from while he was in a state of Ihram. at a water
place called Lahl Jamal located on the road to Makkah. Ibn 'Abbas further said:
Allah s Apostle was cupped on his head for unilateral headache while he was in
a state of Ihram.
Sahih al Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 602
It is strongly encouraged to give payment to the Hajjaam (cupper), but my understanding is that it is forbidden to request payment, such as that they will not provide the treatment unless they are paid.
It was narrated by Anas bin Malik (radhi Allahu anhu)
that the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) sent for a slave who had the
profession of cupping, and he [the slave] cupped him. The Prophet ordered
that he be paid one or two Sa's, or one or two Mudds of foodstuff, and appealed
to his masters to reduce his taxes.
Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 3, Book 36, Number 481.
In other authentic narrations it is also mentioned that Rasool'Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) never withheld payment from the Hajjaam but at the same time, there are narrations which suggest that taking a payment for the price of blood, whereby Hijama treatment will not be provided unless the Hajjaam is paid, is forbidden;
`Aun bin Abu Juhaifa (radhi Allahu anhu) narrated that "My father bought a slave who practiced the profession of cupping. (My father broke the slave's instruments of cupping). I asked my father why he had done so. He replied, "The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) forbade the acceptance of the price of a dog, or blood, and also forbade the profession of tattooing, getting tattooed and receiving or giving Riba, (usury), and cursed the picture-makers."
Sahih Al Bukhari Vol. 3, Book 34, Hadith 299
Consideration must be made for the cupper since they incur expenses for equipment, traveling and time spent with the patient, particularly if they have no other source of income. It is strongly recommended that they be gifted with payment as indeed Allah loves those who have good manners and courteousness.
Hijama is a key weapon from Allah against sorcery.
Hijama is one of the ways in which Allah Azzawajjal cures sorcery
in those who are touched by the Jinn and it is recommended for them to get
Hijama performed by an experienced Hajjaam in their area and it must be performed at the right time. By the permission of
Allah, they will be cured after a couple of sessions.
Ibn Al Qayyim (rahimullah) mentioned in his work Zaad al Ma'aad that the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wassallam) was cupped on the top of his head when he was afflicted with Sihr (witchcraft) and that it is of the best of cures for this ailment if it is performed correctly.
(4/125-126).
There is no authentic prohibition on applying Hijama on certain days of the week, particularly if the patient is very ill.
A few hijama practitioners choose not to cup their patients on a Wednesday due to the following Hadith;
Nafi’ (radhi Allahu anhu) is purported to have related that “Ibn ‘Umar (radhi Allahu anhu) said: ‘O Nafi’! The blood is boiling in me. Bring me a cupper and let him be a young man, not an old man or a boy.’ Ibn ‘Umar said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) say: “Cupping on an empty stomach is better, and it increases one’s intellect and memory. And it increases the memory of one who has a good memory so whoever wants to be cupped, (let him do it) on a Thursday, in the Name of Allah. Avoid cupping on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Have yourselves cupped on Mondays and Tuesdays, and avoid cupping on Wednesdays, for that is the day on which the calamity befell Ayyub, and leprosy and leucoderma only appear on Wednesday or the night of Wednesday.”
Sunan Ibn Majah Vol. 1, Book 31, Hadith 3488.
This Hadith has been classed as Da'if (weak) by the consensus of scholars at Darussalaam. However in order to reconcile all the various hadith on the point of cupping days (and to make it easy upon the Muslims), it may be taken that it is acceptable to cup on a Wednesday if that day falls on either the 17th, 19th or 21st of the lunar month. But a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday are more preferred if any of them also fall on the 17th, 19th or 21st.
