Hijamah (cupping) from the Sunnah

The Messenger s.a.w said, “Whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah and the people practise it, he/she will have the same reward of those who practice it without their reward diminishing.” [Sunan ibn Maajah (209)]

Hijamah (Cupping) Is The Best Of Remedies

Anas ibn Maalikr.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is hijamah (cupping)” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)]

Abu Hurairah r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is hijamah (cupping).” [SaheehSunanabiDawud (3857), SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3476)]

The Angels Recommending Hijamah (Cupping)

Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w 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 hijamah (cupping), O Muhammad.” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3477)]

In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas’udr.a the angels said, “Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with hijamah (cupping).” [SaheehSunanTirmidhee (3479)]

Hijamah (Cupping) Is A Preventative Medicine

Anas ibn Maalikr.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w 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)]

Anas ibn Maalikr.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek aid in hijamah (cupping). Do not allow your blood to rage (boil) such that it kills you.” [Reported by Hakim in his ‘Mustadrak’ and he authenticated it and Imam ad-Dhahabi agreed (4/212)]

In Hijamah (Cupping) There Is A Cure And A blessing

Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w 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), SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3491)]

Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Indeed in hijamah (cupping) there is a cure.” [Saheeh Muslim (5706)]

Ibn Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Hijamah (cupping) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing.” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3487)]

alaaar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.

Hijamah (Cupping) In Its Time Is A Cure For Every Disease

Abu Hurairah r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Whoever performs hijamah (cupping) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease.” [SaheehSunanabiDawud (3861)]

The Best Days For Hijamah (Cupping)

The best days for hijamah (cupping) are the 17th, 19th and 21st of the Islamic, lunar month which coincide with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
Anas ibn Maalikr.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Whoever wants to perform hijamah (cupping) then let him search for the 17th, 19th and 21st” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3486)]

Ibn Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Hijamah (cupping) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allah on Thursday. Keep away from hijamah (cupping) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform hijamah (cupping) on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allah saved Ayoub from a trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night.” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3487)]

Ibn Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Hijamah (cupping) on an empty stomach* is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory. It improves the memory of the one memorising. So whoever is going to be cupped then (let it be) on a Thursday in the name of Allah. Keep away from being cupped on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Be cupped on a Monday or Tuesday. Do not be cupped on a Wednesday because it is the day that Ayoub was befallen with a trial. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night.” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3488)]
‘alaaar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.

As for the Islamic day and night, the night enters before the day. So at sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday night comes in. Hijamah (cupping) is best performed during the daytime between the adhaan of fajr and the adhaan of maghrib because yawm in arabic means daytime.
The Sunnah days for hijamah (cupping) every month are when the 17th, 19th or 21st of the Islamic, lunar month coincide with a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. These are the best and most beneficial days for hijamah (cupping). If one is not able to be cupped on the 17th, 19th or 21st (coinciding with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday) then any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday of the month. The most beneficial days for hijamah (cupping) after the Sunnah days are the closest Monday, Tuesday or Thursday to the 17th, 19th or 21st of the Islamic, lunar month and Allah knows best.

Hijamah (Cupping) May Be Used For

Headache

Salma r.a, the servant of the Messenger s.a.w said, “Whenever someone would complain of a headache to the Messenger of Allah s.a.w, he s.a.w would advise them to perform hijamah (cupping).” [SaheehSunanabiDawud (3858)]

Magic

Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions that the Messenger s.a.w was cupped on his head when he was afflicted with magic and that it is from the best of cures for this if performed correctly. [Zaad al Ma’aad (4/125-126)].

Poison

Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned meat to the Messenger s.a.w so hes.a.w sent her a message saying, “What caused you to do that?” She replied, “If you really are a Prophet then Allah will inform you of it and if you are not then I would save the people from you!” When the Messenger s.a.w felt pain from it, hes.a.w performed hijamah (cupping). Once he travelled while in Ihram and felt that pain and hence performed hijamah (cupping). [Ahmed (1/305) the hadeeth is hasan (good chain with all the paths)]

Strengthening One’s Intelligence And Memory

Ibn Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, “Hijamah (cupping) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory.” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (3487)]

‘alaaar-reeq in arabic means to fast until after being treated with cupping. Once the treatment of cupping has been completed, one may eat and drink.

Dislocation/Bruising

Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w fell from his horse onto the trunk of a palm tree and dislocated his foot. Waki’ r.a said, “Meaning the Messenger s.a.w was cupped on (his foot) for bruising.” [SaheehSunan ibn Maajah (2807)].

Hijamah (Cupping) While fasting Or In The State Of Ihram

Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5701)]

Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was cupped while he was fasting. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5694)]

Anas ibn Maalikr.a 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)]

This is not affected by the hadeeth, “The cupper and the one being cupped have broken their fast.” [Saheeh see Irwaa al-Ghaleel (931)]. This is because the hadeeth is abrogated as Sheikh al-Albaani and ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy upon them) showed by the following hadeeth:
· Abu Sa’eed al-Khudhreer.a said, “The Messenger s.a.w validated cupping for the fasting person.” [Saheeh see Irwaa al-Ghaleel (4/74)]

It appears that hijamah (cupping) is allowed but disliked as Anas ibn Maalikr.a mentioned because the fasting person becomes weak if they perform hijamah (cupping) and Allah knows best.

Areas of Hijamah (Cupping)

Anas ibn Maalikr.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was treated with hijamah (cupping) three times on the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [SaheehSunanabiDawud (3860), ibn Maajah (3483)]

Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was cupped on his head. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5699)]

Abdullah ibn ‘Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w used to cup his head and would call it (the place at the top of the head) “Umm Mugheeth.” [Saheehah (753), Saheeh al-Jaami’ (4804)]

Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was treated with hijamah (cupping) on his hip for a pain in that area. [SaheehSunanabiDawud (3863)]

Anas ibn Maalikr.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was treated with hijamah (cupping) when he was in Ihram, on the top of his foot, for a pain in that area. [SaheehSunanabiDawud (1836)]

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, “Hijamah (cupping) under the chin is beneficial for pain in the teeth, face and throat, if it is performed in its proper time. It purifies the head and the jaws.
Hijamah (cupping) on the top of the foot is a substitution for the puncturing of the Saphena, which is a large vein in the heel. It is beneficial for treating ulcers that occur on the thighs and calves, the interruption of menses and skin irritation on the testicles.

Hijamah (cupping) at the bottom of the chest is beneficial for the treatment of sores, scabies and mange on the thighs. It helps against gout, hemorrhoids, elephantiasis and itchiness on the back. [Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/58]

Hijamah (Cupping) For Women

Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a reported Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) asked permission from the Messenger s.a.w to be treated with hijamah (cupping). So the Messenger s.a.w ordered Abu Teebar.a to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a said, ” I think he s.a.w said that Abu Teeba r.a is her brother through breastfeeding or a young boy who didn’t reach puberty”. [Saheeh Muslim (5708), abu Dawud (4102), Saheeh ibn Maajah (3480)].