Written by: Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer (May Allah protect him)
Hijama refers to the process of cupping, meaning the extraction of harmful blood from the affected part of the body using cupping tools. It is a treatment whose medical significance cannot be denied. In fact, in the modern era, it is scientifically proven and considered beneficial. In this article, we will attempt to explain the Shariah status of Hijama (cupping) based on authentic Hadiths and historical accounts:
“Indeed, there is healing in it.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 5697)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Healing is in three things:
➊ Cupping
➋ Drinking honey
➌ Cauterization (branding with fire), but I forbid my Ummah from cauterization.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 5681)
Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“If there is healing in any of your remedies, it is in cupping and branding with fire, but I do not like branding with fire.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 5704)
“Of all the remedies you use, the best is cupping.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3857, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3476, and its chain is Hasan)
“Whoever gets cupping done on the 17th, 19th, or 21st (of the lunar month), they will be cured from every illness.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3861, and its chain is Hasan)
The narrator mentions that Abu Taybah was either Sayyidah Umm Salamah’s foster brother or a young boy.
(Sahih Muslim: 2206, Darussalam: 5744)
It is most likely that at that time, he was an expert cupping specialist among the slaves and was a young boy.
(Sahih Bukhari: 1836, Sahih Muslim: 1203)
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had cupping done in the state of Ihram.
(Sahih Bukhari: 5695)
(Sahih Bukhari: 5694)
1. After being in a state of major impurity (Janabah)
2. On Fridays
3. After cupping
4. After washing a dead body.
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 348, and its chain is Hasan)
(Sahih Bukhari: 2102, Sahih Muslim: 1577)
Here, the tax refers to the amount a slave would give to his owner(s) for earning his freedom. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) paid the cupping practitioner for his work. Had the payment been unlawful, he would not have paid it.
(Sahih Bukhari: 2103)
This proves that the narrations where this payment is considered "impure" refer to dislike (Karahah) or are abrogated. Allah knows best.
“On the night of my ascension (Mi'raj), every group of angels I passed told me: 'O Muhammad, get cupping done!'”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2052, Abdul Rahman bin Ishaq al-Kufi al-Wasiti is weak; Sunan Ibn Majah: 3477, Al-Mustadrak of Al-Hakim 4/209)
Abbad bin Mansur is weak, and this narration remains weak even with its multiple chains and witnesses.
➋ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The one who performs cupping is a good servant. He removes blood, lightens the back, and improves vision.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2053, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3478, Al-Mustadrak 4/212)
Abbad bin Mansur is a weak narrator.
➌ Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Jibreel (peace be upon him) came down and instructed the Prophet (peace be upon him) to get cupping on the veins of the neck and between the shoulders.
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3482, Asbagh bin Nabatah is a rejected narrator.)
➍ Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) got cupping done on the veins of the neck and between the shoulders.
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3860, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2051, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3483)
This narration is weak due to the use of "An."
➎ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Cupping on an empty stomach is more beneficial. It increases intellect and sharpens memory. A person with a good memory will also benefit from it. Whoever intends to get cupping done should do so on a Thursday in the name of Allah. Avoid cupping on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Get cupping done on Monday and Tuesday. Avoid it on Wednesday, for it was on that day that Ayub (peace be upon him) was tested. Leprosy and vitiligo are only revealed on Wednesdays or during the night of Wednesday.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3488)
Both Abdullah bin Asimah and Saeed bin Maimun are unknown narrators.
Dear readers! We have briefly explained the Shariah status of cupping and its rulings. We hope that this neglected practice will be revived and made common. Always remember to choose a skilled practitioner who knows which part of the body to apply cupping for specific ailments or purposes.
Source: Monthly Al-Hadith, Issue 84, May 2011
“And success is only from Allah.”
Hijama refers to the process of cupping, meaning the extraction of harmful blood from the affected part of the body using cupping tools. It is a treatment whose medical significance cannot be denied. In fact, in the modern era, it is scientifically proven and considered beneficial. In this article, we will attempt to explain the Shariah status of Hijama (cupping) based on authentic Hadiths and historical accounts:
Healing in Cupping:
Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) visited Muqanna' bin Sinan (a Tabi'i) to care for him. He then said to him, "I will not leave until you get cupping done, because I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:“Indeed, there is healing in it.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 5697)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Healing is in three things:
➊ Cupping
➋ Drinking honey
➌ Cauterization (branding with fire), but I forbid my Ummah from cauterization.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 5681)
Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“If there is healing in any of your remedies, it is in cupping and branding with fire, but I do not like branding with fire.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 5704)
Cupping is the Best Treatment:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:“Of all the remedies you use, the best is cupping.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3857, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3476, and its chain is Hasan)
Choosing Lunar Dates for Cupping:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:“Whoever gets cupping done on the 17th, 19th, or 21st (of the lunar month), they will be cured from every illness.”
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3861, and its chain is Hasan)
Women Can Also Get Cupping:
Ummul Mumineen Sayyidah Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) sought permission from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to get cupping done. The Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed Abu Taybah to apply cupping to her.The narrator mentions that Abu Taybah was either Sayyidah Umm Salamah’s foster brother or a young boy.
(Sahih Muslim: 2206, Darussalam: 5744)
It is most likely that at that time, he was an expert cupping specialist among the slaves and was a young boy.
Cupping During Ihram:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) got cupping done on his head in the state of Ihram at the location of Lahyi Jamal.(Sahih Bukhari: 1836, Sahih Muslim: 1203)
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had cupping done in the state of Ihram.
(Sahih Bukhari: 5695)
Cupping While Fasting:
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) got cupping done while he was fasting.(Sahih Bukhari: 5694)
Bathing After Cupping:
Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to take a bath for four reasons:1. After being in a state of major impurity (Janabah)
2. On Fridays
3. After cupping
4. After washing a dead body.
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 348, and its chain is Hasan)
Paying the Cupping Practitioner:
Abu Taybah performed cupping on the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed that he be given a Sa' (measurement) of dates as compensation, and he ordered that the fixed tax imposed on him by his masters be reduced.(Sahih Bukhari: 2102, Sahih Muslim: 1577)
Here, the tax refers to the amount a slave would give to his owner(s) for earning his freedom. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) paid the cupping practitioner for his work. Had the payment been unlawful, he would not have paid it.
(Sahih Bukhari: 2103)
This proves that the narrations where this payment is considered "impure" refer to dislike (Karahah) or are abrogated. Allah knows best.
A Few Weak and Unverified Narrations About Cupping:
➊ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:“On the night of my ascension (Mi'raj), every group of angels I passed told me: 'O Muhammad, get cupping done!'”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2052, Abdul Rahman bin Ishaq al-Kufi al-Wasiti is weak; Sunan Ibn Majah: 3477, Al-Mustadrak of Al-Hakim 4/209)
Abbad bin Mansur is weak, and this narration remains weak even with its multiple chains and witnesses.
➋ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“The one who performs cupping is a good servant. He removes blood, lightens the back, and improves vision.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2053, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3478, Al-Mustadrak 4/212)
Abbad bin Mansur is a weak narrator.
➌ Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Jibreel (peace be upon him) came down and instructed the Prophet (peace be upon him) to get cupping on the veins of the neck and between the shoulders.
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3482, Asbagh bin Nabatah is a rejected narrator.)
➍ Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) got cupping done on the veins of the neck and between the shoulders.
(Sunan Abi Dawood: 3860, Sunan al-Tirmidhi: 2051, Sunan Ibn Majah: 3483)
This narration is weak due to the use of "An."
➎ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Cupping on an empty stomach is more beneficial. It increases intellect and sharpens memory. A person with a good memory will also benefit from it. Whoever intends to get cupping done should do so on a Thursday in the name of Allah. Avoid cupping on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Get cupping done on Monday and Tuesday. Avoid it on Wednesday, for it was on that day that Ayub (peace be upon him) was tested. Leprosy and vitiligo are only revealed on Wednesdays or during the night of Wednesday.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3488)
Both Abdullah bin Asimah and Saeed bin Maimun are unknown narrators.
Clarification:
The narrations that mention a prohibition of cupping on certain days are weak. Cupping can be done on any day, though the best and preferred days are the three mentioned lunar dates, as referred to in the authentic Hadith above.Dear readers! We have briefly explained the Shariah status of cupping and its rulings. We hope that this neglected practice will be revived and made common. Always remember to choose a skilled practitioner who knows which part of the body to apply cupping for specific ailments or purposes.
Source: Monthly Al-Hadith, Issue 84, May 2011
“And success is only from Allah.”