Cupping (Hijama) as a Remedy for Magic

Authored by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)

Is Cupping a Treatment for Magic?​

Answer:
Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

خير ما تداويتم به الحجامة

“The best remedy you use is cupping.”

[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5696, Kitab al-Tibb, Bab al-Hijama; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1577, Kitab al-Musaqat]
Furthermore, it is narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila:

احتجم على رأسه بقرن حين طب

“The Prophet (ﷺ) performed cupping on his head with a horn when he was afflicted by magic.”
This narration has been mentioned by Abu Ubaid Al-Qasim bin Salam in Gharib al-Hadith (43/2) and Hafiz Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari (10/228), who classified it as Mursal (a report with a missing link in the chain of narrators).

How Magic Affected the Prophet (ﷺ)​

The magic cast upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) reached his head and affected one of his cognitive functions, causing him to perceive that he had performed an action when, in fact, he had not. This was due to an external influence on the body’s natural fluids and essence, which altered the internal temperament.

Conclusion:​

Cupping is a Sunnah practice and one of the effective remedies prescribed in Islam. In the case of magic, it can help alleviate the effects caused by physical and psychological disruptions, as shown in the example of the Prophet (ﷺ).