Hijama (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)].
Hijama (Cupping) Is The Best of Remedies
Anas ibn Maalik r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w
said, "Indeed the best of remedies you have is hijama (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 hijama (cupping)." [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3857), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3476)].
The Angels Recommending Hijama (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 hijama (cupping), O Muhammad." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah
(3477)].
In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud r.a the angels said, "Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with hijama (cupping)." [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)].
Hijama (Cupping) Is a Preventative Medicine
Anas ibn Maalik r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w
said, "Whoever wants to perform hijama (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." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)].
Anas ibn Maalik r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, "When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek aid in hijama (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 Hijama (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), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3491)].
Jaabir ibn Abdullah r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, "Indeed in hijama (cupping) there is a cure." [Saheeh Muslim (5706)].
Ibn Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, "Hijama (cupping) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a
cure and a blessing." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)].
* 'alaa ar-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.
Hijama (Cupping) In Its Time Is a Cure For Every Disease
Abu Hurairah r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, "Whoever performs hijama (cupping) on the 17th, 19th or 21stday (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease." [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3861)].
The Best Days For Hijama (Cupping)
The best days for hijama (cupping) are the 17th, 19th and 21st of the Islamic, lunar month which coincide with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
Anas ibn Maalik r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w
said, "Whoever wants to perform hijama (cupping) then let him search for the 17th, 19th and
21st" [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah
(3486)].
Ibn Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w
said, "Hijama (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 hijama (cupping) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform hijama (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." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)].
Ibn Umar r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w said, "Hijama (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." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3488)].
* 'alaa ar-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. Hijama (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 hijama (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 hijama (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
hijama (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.
Hijama (Cupping) May Be Used For
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 hijama (cupping)." [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3858)].
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)].
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned meat to the Messenger s.a.w so he s.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, he s.a.w performed hijama (cupping). Once he travelled while in Ihram and felt that pain and hence performed hijama (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, "Hijama (cupping) on an empty stomach* is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)].
* 'alaa ar-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.
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." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (2807)].
Hijama (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 Maalik r.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-Khudhree r.a said, "The
Messenger s.a.w validated cupping for the fasting person." [Saheeh see Irwaa al-Ghaleel (4/74)].
It appears that hijama (cupping) is allowed but disliked as Anas ibn Maalik r.a mentioned because the fasting person becomes weak if they perform hijama (cupping) and Allah knows best.
Areas of Hijama (Cupping)
Anas ibn Maalik r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was treated with
hijama (cupping) three times on the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (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 hijama (cupping) on his hip for a pain in that area. [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3863)].
Anas ibn Maalik r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was treated with
hijama (cupping) when he was in Ihram, on the top of his foot, for a pain in that area. [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (1836)].
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, "Hijama (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.
Hijama (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.
Hijama (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].
Hijama (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 hijama (cupping). So the Messenger s.a.w ordered Abu Teeba r.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)].