Hijama (Cupping)
The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…” [Sahih al-Bukhari 5371]
1. What is Cupping Therapy ?
Cupping Therapy is the application of either blood cupping or aggressive cupping techniques to prevent and treat diseases. Hijama (cupping) is of 3 types:
Wet Hijama/Cupping: this is from the Sunnah of the Prophet (SallAllaahu alayhi wasallam). It involves the removal of harmful blood from just below the surface of the skin and it is recommended that it is administered by a hijama therapist. It should be administered at certain times of the day and days of the week (the Sunnah days)
Dry Hijama/Cupping: the blood is gathered in the treated area, but no incisions are made, so the blood is not released.
Dry Massage Hijama/Cupping: as with dry hijama, the blood is not released, but in addition, olive oil is applied to the skin to allow the hijama cups to be easily moved over the treated area, thus massaging the skin. They are not a Sunnah remedy but fall under the treatment for disease.
2. How does Cupping Therapy work ?
Cupping Therapy gets rid of acidic toxic waste which accumulate in our bodies (blood stasis) as we grow older. Sources of toxic waste include the polluted air we breathe; toxic chemicals found in your food, water, drinks, household chemicals & toiletries; environmental waste in your neighbourhood; intoxicating drinks, narcotic drugs, junk food and smoking; waste products of normal body metabolism; products of medicinal drugs metabolism; impact of trauma and accidents on our body; and toxins from mental stress, anger, anxiety and depression.The blood stasis (stagnated or congested blood) slow down or block supply of blood via blood capillaries which deliver much needed oxygen, nutrients, water, mineral electrolyte, vitamins, enzymes, hormones and immune system cells & antibodies to your cells, tissues and organ. The blockage also prevent the removal of carbon dioxide, metabolic waste products and toxic substance which are excreted via our urine, lungs and skin. As a result your cells, tissues, and organs cannot function at its normal healthy level and become progressively weak, inefficient, and easily overcome by germs. This would cause tissue or organ to malfunction and infection to take place. Therefore you will experience symptoms of diseases such as aches and pain, numbness, fever, cough, stomach ache, constipation, diarrhoea and headaches. If left untreated further accumulation of toxic waste may lead to serious chronic diseases including hypertension, ulcers, diabetes, arthritis, alzheimer disease, migraine, heart disease, stroke and cancer
3. Disease treated by Cupping Therapy
• Headaches including migraine
• Breathing difficulties (asthma)
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Tonsillitis and sore throat
• Stomach ache and heart burn
• Hand, leg, neck and back pain
• Neuralgia (nerve pain)
• Athletes foot
• Skin problems including pimples, oily skin, itch, dermatitis, liver spots
• Chills at fingers and toes
• Alopecia (losing hair)
• Allergy
• Menstrual pain (endometriosis)
• Leucorrhoea (whitish/yellowish discharge due to infection)
• Infertility
• Urinary incontinence
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Angina pectoris (heart pain)
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• Hemorrhoid (piles)
• Osteoarthritis and gout
• Diabetes
• Kidney malfunction (pre-dialysis)
• Liver problem (hepatitis and fatty liver)
• Losing memory and dementia (Alzheimer)
• Stroke
• Cancer
4. What diseases cannot be treated Cupping Therapy ?
Diseases that cannot be treated by Cupping Therapy include- Congenital (present at birth) and genetic diseases like down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cleft lip, hole-in-heart, congenital dislocation of the hip.- Trauma and accidents for example broken bones and joints, open wound, torn muscles, tissue and organ damage, internal bleeding, and excessive bleeding. However Cupping Therapy can promote quicker recovery or healing of these conditions due to improved blood circulation.
5. Who are not suitable for cupping ?
Children below 10 years old, adults above 70 years old, pregnant women, people recovering from surgery, weak & thin people suffering from lack of blood. and people with threatening conditions e.g. heart attack, asthmatic attack, trauma and accidents.
6. What does a person feel during or after cupping ?
Cupping can be mildly or moderately painful. The degree of pain varies from person to person and the location of cupped areas on the same body. The sensation of pricking with needle (lancet) during cupping is quite similarly to insect bites. Post cupping symptoms varies between persons which include feeling relieved after cupping, feeling dizzy/weak/tired or not much sensation.
7. Is Cupping Therapy safe and free from side effects ?
Cupping is a safe therapy provided hygienic conditions are maintained before, during and after cupping.
8. What preparation to do before starting Cupping Therapy ?
Cupping : Go for a sauna or hot body bath to stimulate blood circulation and promote release of blood stasis. Can also massage, apply hot towel or shine infra-red light on the cupped area to get the same effect.
The patient should fast for at least 2-3 hours before being cupped, preferably all of the day (or the night before if having the treatment in the morning). On a full stomach, hijama causes vomiting and it is not a cure, it is a disease.
9. What is the frequency of cupping?
Critical disease : e.g. stroke victims – 3 consecutive days and then weekly, preferably be be done done within 72 hours of onset of stroke. Serious disease : e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problem, asthma,high cholesterol, kidney malfunction, liver malfunction – weekly for few months Mild disease : e.g. fever, cough, muscular pain – every 3 to 7 days until get relieve.
Taken from:
In addition:
Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory…”
The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure.” [Sahih Muslim 5706].
He also (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) 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.” [Sahih Sunan abi Dawud 3861].
Knew nothing about cupping until now,thanks for the useful Info.
Me either! Its fascinating!
Hi Healthy Muslimah
That’s very useful info, especially for us as we are a small (but growing) group of hijama enthusiasts that are keen to learn more about this mysterious therapy, locate local therapists and help promote it to one and all. In fact I personally would describe it as “The Fastest, Most Direct Detox known to Humankind”.
So thanks for this post, it will help increase the sum of our knowledge about this Sunnah Therapy
Shuaib
Bringing Hijamah (cupping) and medical acupuncture to the West Midlands, UK
Assalaamu ‘alaykum,
Just a quick note for anyone interested in having Hijamah done in the West Midlands, Luton or East London areas.
I have undergone various practical sessions and am currently undertaking a Hijamah course recognised by the Complimentary Medical Association (http://www.the-cma.org.uk/). I have been trained directly by the world famous Dr Ahmad Hafny from Cairo who directs a leading Hijamah school in Cairo and also runs regular clinics in Egypt, Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
I am also a member of the British Medical Acupuncture Society (http://www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk) and have carried out extensive case studies on patients in a General Practice setting, managing conditions ranging from simple backaches, headaches and sciatica to sinusitis, dysmenorrhoea and postherpetic neuralgia.
As a fully GMC qualified practicing doctor, I have been providing free health check consultations as well as private Hijamah and acupuncture services for many patients in the West Midlands, as well as Luton and East London areas, at a very reasonable rate.
Please do contact me for advice or to arrange a session, whether it is for a certain ailment and condition or for reviving the sunnah at the prophylactic (preventative measure) position on the upper back.
Below are a few ahadith relating to the many virtues of Hijamah. I am currently in the process of translating approximately 70 ahadith given to me by Dr Ahmad Hafny, pertaining to this sacred ancient art and will insha’allah share them in due course.
“I did not pass by any group on the night of Al Isra (night ascension), except that they said to me, ‘Oh Muhammad, tell your Ummah to do Hijamah.” (1)
The prophet (PBUH) praised a person who performs cupping, saying “it removes blood, lightens the back and sharpens the eyesight.” (2)
“The arch angel Jibrail (AS) repeatedly emphasized upon me to resort to cupping to the extent that I feared that cupping will be made compulsary.” (3)
As a final note, I would like to emphasise the importance of safe, clean cupping, as mentioned by brother (and Dr) Saleel in the “Announcements” section of this site. It is vital that hygienic, safe Hijamah is performed taking into account each individuals’ past medical as well as drug history. Insha’allah I hope this beautiful sunnah can be revived with this consideration.
“The Apostle of Allah (PBUH) prohibited unclean medicine.” (4)
1. Ibn Majah, 3477
2. Jamul Warsaii p.179.
3. Jamul Warsaii p.179.
4. Sunan Abu Dawud Book 28, Number 3861
Hoping to hear from you!
Dr Ridwan Ahmed
email: ridwan62@hotmail.com
Birmingham, West Midlands, UK
UK mobile: (+44) 7946 883104
Great post
Slmz all
if any ladies would like to have cupping done in Cape Town, South Africa, you can contact me at 0848957864.
private and hygienic*
gazak allaho khairan dr ahmed but if u plz tell me the address of dr ahmed in egypt. coz i think in egypt they prohibited cupping and they(ministry of health) arrest anyone who practise it.
Dr Ahmed is in UK not Egypt
Salams Omjana
Try contacting Dr Shaban Tamer, of http://www.cuppingtherapy.info , author of The Complete Guide to Cupping Therapy, who I understand is based in Egypt.
He may be able to help you, or guide you to local therapists in Egypt.
Salams
Shuaib
salam quite intresting information i know hijam is very benifical also aloe vera drinks very detoxifing and prevents from many diesease and also prohet muhhamed (pbuh)talked about this herb .
salaam. very interesting. didn’t know hijama has so many benefits. Jazakallah for beneficial information.
AsSalaam’Alaykum,
Does anyone know any women doing hijamah in the London area in England.
Please let me know
JazakAllah Khair
Assalamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters
Inshallah everyone is benefiting from this knowledge.
Question:
How much blood is let out.
Question:
Would donating blood by the pint as the disbelievers do in US be acceptable, since it is a clean procedure, and is a pint too much or not enough?
May Allah reward all those who earnestly strive, Fesabila.
You may contact by email: Khal03@Hotmail.com (zero three, not “O” three”
Jazakullah Khairain
As Salam Alaikum Ismail
From my experience, very little blood generally come out (quarter to half a cup – and by that I mean the the small plastic cupping cups, not a teacup!)
As for donating blood, while seems comparable, is arguably not the same thing, is you are donating good blood, while in hijama, the idea is you are trying to remove old blood in specific pain/problem areas (unless of course it is the Sunnah point).
Maybe some therapists will be able to elaborate further on this point.
Allah knows best
Shuaib
no one knows how hijama is important expect Allah and our propht Mohammed peace be upon him, and i personally do hijama and feel great after being cupped.
all thanks go to Allah and our prophet