The Benefit of Hijama (Cupping) from an Islamic point of view
Wet Cupping (Hijama) is one of the best remedies from the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and he also recommended this to practice to his Umma.
Hijama is an integral part of Islamic Medicine. It is a safe and non-invasive procedure that can not only cure many diseases but also prevent them. It has no side effects if performed properly. This fixes any problem that the body has, by bringing it to its normal state. Hijama Cupping therapy is a holistic, super-powerful detox that removes toxic and stagnant blood from the body. It expels negative, unhealthy elements from the body, and allows it to replenish itself.
The premise of Islamic medicine is faith in Allah the Exalted and knowing healing comes only from Him, and that there is a cure for every disease.
“There is a remedy for every disease and when the remedy is applied to the disease it is cured with the permission of Allah the Exalted.” (Recorded by Muslim.)
In Islam, health is a very important part of life and there is a great emphasis placed on it.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) Health and free time for doing good.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6412)
The question is, do we give importance to our life or take time out to learn about the natural remedies that the Prophet (ﷺ) has told us about?
Wet cupping (Hijama) is a fast-disappearing practice, which is highly recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and continues to offer many health benefits.
Hijamah (cupping) from the Sunnah
The Messenger (ﷺ)said, “Whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah and the people practice it, he/she will have the same reward as those who practice it without their reward diminishing.” [Sunan ibn Maajah (209)]. •مَنْ أَحْيَا سُنَّةً مِنْ سُنَّتِي فَعَمِلَ بِهَا النَّاسُ كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا لاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْئًا
Cupping is the Best of Remedies
•Hazrat Anas ibn Maalik (R.A.) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ)said, "Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…"[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)]. •إن أمثل ما تداويتم به الحجامة •The Prophet (ﷺ)explained that Hijama is one of the best medicines: “The best medicine with which you treat yourselves is Hijama, or it is one of the best of your medicines.” [Sahih Bukhari Hadith-No: 5696] •إنَّ أفضلَ ما تداويتُم بِه الحجامةَ أو إنَّ من أمثلِ دوائِكمُ الحجامةَ •Hazrat Abu Hurairah RA reported that the Messenger (ﷺ)said, "If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (hijama)." [Sunan abi Dawud (3857), Sunan ibn Maajah (3476)]. •إِنْ كَانَ فِي شَىْءٍ مِمَّا تَدَاوَوْنَ بِهِ خَيْرٌ فَالْحِجَامَةُ •Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (R.A) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)said, “How good is the cupper, removes blood, lightens the back and sharpens the eyesight. [al-Timidhee (2053)]. •نِعْمَ الْعَبْدُ الْحَجَّامُ يُذْهِبُ الدَّمَ وَيُخِفُّ الصُّلْبَ وَيَجْلُو عَنِ الْبَصَرِ •Hazrat Abu Kabshah Al-calamari (R.A) narrates that the prophet (ﷺ)) used to get himself cupped (hijama) on his head and between the shoulders, saying: o“Whoever lets(out)” blood through hijama, need never fear if he does not get himself treated for any illness.
In Hijama Cupping there is a Cure and a blessing
•The Prophet Mohammed (ﷺ) also said: “If there is anything good in the medicines with which you treat yourselves, it is in the incision of the Hijama therapist, or a drink of honey or cauterization with fire, but I do not like to be cauterized.” [Sahih Muslim, 2205] •إِنْ كَانَ فِي شَىْءٍ مِنْ أَدْوِيَتِكُمْ خَيْرٌ فَفِي شَرْطَةِ مَحْجَمٍ أَوْ شَرْبَةٍ مِنْ عَسَلٍ أَوْ لَذْعَةٍ بِنَارٍ " . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وَمَا أُحِبُّ أَنْ أَكْتَوِيَ " •Hazrat Jabir (RA) reported that he visited Muqanna' and then said: I will not go away unless you get yourself cupped, for I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) say: “Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure.” [Saheeh Muslim, 5706]. •جَابِر بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَادَ الْمُقَنَّعَ ثُمَّ قَالَ لاَ أَبْرَحُ حَتَّى تَحْتَجِمَ فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ فِيهِ شِفَاءً " . •Hazrat Ibn Umar RA reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach is best. And in it is a curse and a blessing and it improves the intellect and the memory" [Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)]. •الْحِجَامَةُ عَلَى الرِّيقِ أَمْثَلُ وَفِيهِ شِفَاءٌ وَبَرَكَةٌ وَتَزِيدُ فِي الْعَقْلِ وَفِي الْحِفْظِ •Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ)said, “Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5681), Sunan ibn Maajah (3491)]. •الشِّفَاءُ فِي ثَلاَثَةٍ شَرْطَةِ مِحْجَمٍ، أَوْ شَرْبَةِ عَسَلٍ، أَوْ كَيَّةٍ بِنَارٍ، وَأَنْهَى أُمَّتِي عَنِ الْكَىِّ
Hijamah (Cupping) Is A Preventative Medicine
•Hazrat Anas ibn Maalik (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever wants to perform cupping (hijama) then let him search for the 17th, 19th, and 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) and let none of you allow his blood to rage (boil) such that it kills him." [Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)]. •مَنْ أَرَادَ الْحِجَامَةَ فَلْيَتَحَرَّ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ أَوْ تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ أَوْ إِحْدَى وَعِشْرِينَ وَلاَ يَتَبَيَّغْ بِأَحَدِكُمُ الدَّمُ فَيَقْتُلَهُ •Anas ibn Maalik (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek Aid in cupping (hijama). Do not allow your blood to rage (boil) such that it kills you." [Mustadrak Al-Hakim 4/212]. •إذا اشتدَّ الحرُّ فاستعينُوا بالحِجامةِ ، لا يتبيَّغْ دمُ أحدِكم فيقتلُه
Sunnah Days for Hijama
•The best days for hijamah (cupping) are the 17th, 19th, and 21st of the Islamic, lunar month which coincide with Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday. •Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever performs cupping (hijama) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease.” [Sunan Abu Dawud (3861)]. •مَنِ احْتَجَمَ لِسَبْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَتِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَإِحْدَى وَعِشْرِينَ كَانَ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ •Hazrat Anas ibn Maalik (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ)said, “Whoever wants to perform hijamah (cupping) then let him search for the 17th, 19th, and 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) and let none of you allow his blood to rage (boil) such that it kills him.” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3486)]. •مَنْ أَرَادَ الْحِجَامَةَ فَلْيَتَحَرَّ سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ أَوْ تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ أَوْ إِحْدَى وَعِشْرِينَ وَلاَ يَتَبَيَّغْ بِأَحَدِكُمُ الدَّمُ فَيَقْتُلَهُ •Note: However, as the need may arise, Hijama (cupping) as a form of medical treatment may be performed at any time according to the conditions or urgency.
Shab-e-Meraj - The Night of Power, The Angels Recommended Hijama - Cupping
•Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) said, “I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: Upon you is cupping (hijama), O Muhammad.” [Sunan-Ibn-Maajah Hadith No:3477]. •مَا مَرَرْتُ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي بِمَلإٍ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ إِلاَّ كُلُّهُمْ يَقُولُ لِي عَلَيْكَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ بِالْحِجَامَةِ •The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mentioning the night of Isra said that he did not pass by a group of angels except that they commanded him to order his nation to do cupping. [At-Tirmidhi]. •حَدَّثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ لَيْلَةَ، أُسْرِيَ بِهِ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَمُرَّ عَلَى مَلإٍ مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ إِلاَّ أَمَرُوهُ أَنْ مُرْ أُمَّتَكَ بِالْحِجَامَةِ
Cupping (Hijama) in the State of Ihram
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5701)]. •عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم احْتَجَمَ وَهْوَ مُحْرِمٌ فِي رَأْسِهِ مِنْ شَقِيقَةٍ كَانَتْ بِهِ.
Cupping (Hijama) while fasting
•Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that the Messenger(ﷺ)) was cupped while he was fasting. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5694)]. •احْتَجَمَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ صَائِمٌ. •Hazrat Anas ibn Maalik (RA) was asked: "Did you dislike cupping for the fasting person?" He said, "No except for the reason of one becoming weak." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1940)]. •حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ ثَابِتًا الْبُنَانِيَّ، يَسْأَلُ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَكُنْتُمْ تَكْرَهُونَ الْحِجَامَةَ لِلصَّائِمِ قَالَ لاَ. إِلاَّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الضَّعْفِ.
Strengthening One's Intelligence and Memory
Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach is best. In it are a cure and a blessing. It improves intellect and memory. It improves the memory of the one memorizing…” [Sunan-Ibn-Maajah Hadith No: 3487 & 3488]. •الْحِجَامَةُ عَلَى الرِّيقِ أَمْثَلُ وَفِيهِ شِفَاءٌ وَبَرَكَةٌ وَتَزِيدُ فِي الْعَقْلِ وَفِي الْحِفْظِ
Headaches
Hazrat Salma (RA), the servant of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)said, “Whenever someone would complain of a headache to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), he (ﷺ) would say: “Do cupping.” [Sunan Abi Dawud (3858)]. مَا كَانَ أَحَدٌ يَشْتَكِي إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَجَعًا فِي رَأْسِهِ إِلاَّ قَالَ " احْتَجِمْ " Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [Sahih al-Bukhari (5701)]. •عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم احْتَجَمَ وَهْوَ مُحْرِمٌ فِي رَأْسِهِ مِنْ شَقِيقَةٍ كَانَتْ بِهِ.
Sharpen the eyesight
“The best treatment is cupping, it removes blood, lightens the back, and sharpens the eyesight”. [Al–Hakim 4/212].
Back Pain (Lightens the back)
Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ)said: what a good person is the hijama (e.g: the person who does hijama) who suck out the blood and lightens the back and sharpens the vision. Hazrat Anas narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ)used to have Hijama done on the veins on the side of the neck and the upper back. [At Tirmidhi, 2051].
For Magic
Hazrat Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahmatullah Alaih) has quoted from Abu Ubaid that Abdur Rahman Ibn Abu Laila (RA) narrated that when Prophet (SAWS) was afflicted by black magic, he had hijama done on his head. Hazrat Ibn al-Qayyim (Rahmatullah Alaih) mentions that the Messenger (ﷺ)cupped his head when he was afflicted with magic and that it is the best of cures for this if done correctly. [Zaad al Ma’aad (4/125-126)].
For Poison
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned meat to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), so he (ﷺ) sent her a message saying, "What caused you to do that?" She replied, "If you are a Prophet (ﷺ) then Allah (SWT) will inform you of it, and if you are not then I would save the people from you!" When the Messenger (ﷺ)felt pain from it, (ﷺ) performed cupping (hijama). Once he traveled while in Ihram and felt that pain and hence performed cupping (hijama). [Musnad Ahmed (1/305)]. •عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ - " أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ احْتَجَمَ وَهُوَ مُحْرِمٌ، مِنْ أَكْلَةٍ أَكَلَهَا مِنْ شَاةٍ مَسْمُومَةٍ، سَمَّتْهَا امْرَأَةٌ مِنْ أَهْلِ خَيْبَرَ
Dislocation/Bruising
Hazrat Jaabir ibn Abdullah (RA) reported that the Messenger (ﷺ) fell from his horse onto the trunk of a palm tree and dislocated his foot. Waki' (RA) said, "Meaning the Messenger(ﷺ) was cupped on (his foot) for bruising." [Sunan ibn Maajah (2807)]. •عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ سَقَطَ مِنْ فَرَسِهِ عَلَى جِذْعٍ فَانْفَكَّتْ قَدَمُهُ . قَالَ وَكِيعٌ يَعْنِي أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ احْتَجَمَ عَلَيْهَا مِنْ وَثْءٍ .
Cupping for Women
Hazrat Jaabir ibn Abdullah (RA) reported Umm Salamah (RA) asked permission from the Messenger (ﷺ) to be treated with cupping (hijama). So, the Messenger (ﷺ)ordered Abu Taibah (RA) to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah (RA) said, " I think(ﷺ) said that Abu Taibah (RA) is her foster brother (breastfeeding) or a young boy who didn't attain puberty". [Saheeh Muslim (5708), abu Dawud (4102), ibn Maajah (3480)]. •عَنْ جَابِرٍ، أَنَّ أُمَّ سَلَمَةَ، زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ اسْتَأْذَنَتْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِي الْحِجَامَةِ فَأَمَرَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَبَا طَيْبَةَ أَنْ يَحْجُمَهَا . وَقَالَ حَسِبْتُ أَنَّهُ كَانَ أَخَاهَا مِنَ الرَّضَاعَةِ أَوْ غُلاَمًا لَمْ يَحْتَلِمْ
Charging a fee for Hijama (It is permissible to charge a fee for Hijama)
Hazrat Ibn ‘Abbaas (RA) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ)was treated with cupping, and he paid the cupper his fee.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 10/124; Muslim 1202). •عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم احْتَجَمَ وَأَعْطَى الْحَجَّامَ أَجْرَهُ Humaid At Taweel reports from Anna (RA) that when he was asked about the Hijama ’s fees, he replied: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had hijama done by Abu Taibah and gave him (as remuneration) two measures of grain (which amounts to about 7 kilos) and told his master to reduce his share in Abu Taibah’s earning. He (ﷺ) remarked. [Bukhari)