Al-Hijamah

Hijamah is a Sunnah as well as a medical treatment.

The word Hijamah is derived from the word Al-Hajm
which carries the meaning: to suck, to absorb, or to
extract. It describes a medical treatment whereby
dirty blood is extracted from the body by a suction
cup attached to a lightly incised skin surface.
It was a common practice in traditional Arab Medicine
and is a Sunnah that was practiced and promoted by
.our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
Cupping is also an ancient Chinese method of releasing
local congestion. It has been practiced for thousands
of years in almost every part of the world for the
.treatment of disease and pain
3

Hijamah is the Best of

Remedies



) Anas ibn Maalik reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW
said, "Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping
(hijama)" [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)].


) Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAW
said, "If there was something excellent to be used as a
remedy then it is cupping (hijama)." [ Sunan abi Dawud
(3857), Sunan ibn Maajah (3476)].

The Angels Recommend It

" :
" :
The Messenger of Allaah (SAW) said: I did not pass by any

group of angels on the night of the Isra [the Prophets night

journey when he was taken from Makkah to Jerusalem and
back in the course of a single night], but all of them said to
me, You should use cupping, O Muhammad.
[Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in al-Silsilah alSaheehah, 2263.]

In Hijamah is a Cure




According to a hadeeth narrated by Jaabir (may Allaah be

pleased with him), the Prophet (SAW) said: If there is

any good in your medical treatments, it is in the knife of
the cupper, drinking honey, or cauterization with fire, as
appropriate to the cause of the illness, but I would not
like to be cauterized. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, (5359)]

Benefits of Cupping


Abdullah Ibn Abbas reported that the messenger
of Allah (SAW) said How good is the cupper,
removes blood, lightens the back and sharpens
the eyesight.
[al-Tirmidhee, (2053)]

Treatment of Hypertension


Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger of
Allah (SAW) said: When the blood of one of
you begins to rage, he should get cupped
because the raging of blood can kill.
[al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2747]

When to do Hijamah
There is some evidence from ahadith to indicate

that cupping is best performed in the second half of

the month.



Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that

the Prophet (SAW) said: Whoever is treated with cupping on

the seventeenth, nineteenth or twenty first, will be healed from
all diseases. (Reported by Abu Dawood, 3861, and al-Bayhaqi,
9/340. The isnad is hasan).
9

When to do Hijamah
Some less reliable narrations also

recommend certain days of the week for

cupping while warning against others.
However, as the need may arise, cupping

as a form of medical treatment may be

performed at any time according to the
condition or urgency.

Locations for Hijamah

1 The head
al-Bukhaari (2156) narrated that Ibn Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:
The Prophet (SAW) was treated with cupping on his head when he was in ihraam, and
for some kinds of pain. It was also narrated by Muslim (1203) from the hadeeth of Ibn
Buhaynah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (SAW) was treated with
cupping on the road to Makkah when he was in ihraam, in the middle of his head.

2 The two veins at the sides of the neck, and the base of the neck
Abu Dawood (3860), al-Tirmidhi (390) and Ibn Maajah (3483) narrated from Anas (may
Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (SAW) was treated with cupping three
times in the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [Classed as
saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.]
3 The hip
Abu Dawood (3863) narrated from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the
Messenger of Allaah (SAW) was treated with cupping on his hip for a pain in that site.
[Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.]
4 Back of the foot
al-Nasaai (2849) narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the
Messenger of Allaah (SAW) was treated with cupping when he was in ihraam, on the
back of his foot, for a pain in that site. [Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh alNasaai.]

Other Locations for Hijamah

Besides these five locations mentioned specifically in

the ahadith, those skilled in cupping can recommend

other suitable locations depending on the condition.
Ibn al-Qayyim (May Allah have mercy on him) said:

"Cupping beneath the chin is beneficial for pains in

the teeth, face and throat, if it is used at the right
time...
Cupping at the bottom of the chest is beneficial for

the treatment of sores, scabies and pustules on the

thighs, and of gout and scabies.
[Zaad al-Ma'aad, 4/53]
12

How does Cupping Work?

In the traditional understanding of

cupping (a treatment practiced by the

Chinese, Egyptians, Babylonians and
Arabs), the benefits are numerous.
Cupping is believed to
Release

local toxins
Stimulate the lymphatic system
Clear blockages or stagnated circulation
Activate and clear the veins, arteries and
capillaries
Realign and balance vital energy
Promote and improve circulation

13

Importance of the Lymphatic

System

Some Conditions Treated

through Cupping
Migraine headaches
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Stiff or swollen joints, especially in the neck and back
Stomach ulcers and problems associated with diabetes
High blood pressure
Psychological disorders and some cases of paralysis
Magic
Back pain, joint pain, gout, constipation, digestive problems,
loss of appetite
9. Insomnia, problems associated with menstruation
10. Headaches
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

11. Strengthening One's Intelligence And Memory

12. Poison

16

Types of Cupping
Dry cupping uses special cups and a suction pump on

certain pressure points andmeridianson the body. The flesh is

sucked in to the cup and left to promote blood circulation.
The moving or massage cupping follows the same

principle but only one large cup is used to massage the area. Oil
is liberally applied to the back, arms or legsanddeep tissue
massage is undertaken. Large singular strokes are given,
moving directly up and down the meridians.
Hijama or Wet cupping is the same as dry cuppingbut

involves drawing a small amount of toxic blood from small

incisions made on the surface of the skin. This is the Sunnah
Method

Method of Wet Cupping

Dry cupping is first performed
Small cuts are made in the cupped area and

then the cup is replaced on the skin. The skin

will be drawn into the cup and blood is sucked
out of the area.
When done properly, on an area that has
septic blood, the blood drawn will be dark. The
process is repeated until the blood turns red.
Then the cupping should be stopped.
The area should be cleaned and bandaged as
necessary
18

Equipment

These are the plastic cups that are

used. They have a valve at the top

which controls suction pressure.
They also have removable
magnets (used for Bio-magnetic
Cupping Therapy) which are very
effective for this treatment..

Dry Cupping
Hijamah Jaafa

Wet Cupping
Hijamah

20

Different Types of Cupping Sets

21

22

Awareness of the Risks

Suspected hemorrhage
Sunburns or burns in general
Open wounds or recent trauma
Should be avoided lower and upper abdomen

whilst pregnant
Should be aware of patients medical history
an what medicine they are on e.g Anti
coagulants or if they are diabetic or anemic
Any blood coagulation disorders