Cupping Therapy (Hijama) – Remedies from the Sunnah

 What is cupping (hijama)?

A Cure For Every Disease, Pain and Ailment (By Allah's Permission)

Cupping (hijama) is the best remedy recommended and used by the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)]. He (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) also said that on the night of Israa (his ascension to the heavens) he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) did not pass by an angel except that it said to him, “Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with cupping (hijama).” [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)]. This shows the importance and greatness of this Sunnah.

‘Hijama’ in arabic is derived from ‘hajm’ which means ‘sucking’. Cupping (hijama) is the process of applying cups to various points on the body by removing the air inside the cups to form a vacuum.

Cupping (hijama) is of three types:

Dry cupping (hijama) – This is the process of using a vacuum on different areas of the body in order to gather the blood in that area without incisions (small, light scratches using a razor).

Dry massage cupping (hijama) – This is similar to dry cupping (hijama) but olive oil is applied to the skin (before applying the cups) in order to allow easy movement of the cups.
70% of diseases, pains and ailments are due to the blood being unable to reach certain parts of the body. Dry cupping (hijama) and dry massaging cupping (hijama) allow the blood to reach these places.
Dry and massage cupping (hijama) may be self-administered in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Each cupping (hijama) box is accompanied by an instruction booklet. We have also provided further instructions on our ‘How To Cup’ page.
Dry and massage cupping (hijama) may be administered any time of the day, any day of the week or month. There are no restrictions.

Wet cupping (hijama) – This is the process of using a vacuum at different points on the body but with incisions in order to remove ‘harmful’ blood which lies just beneath the surface of the skin. (It is recommended that wet cupping (hijama) is only administered by a cupping therapist).
Wet cupping (hijama) may only be administered at certain times of the day and days of the week. Please see our ‘Authentic Narrations’ page for further details.

Is cupping (hijama) a cure for every disease?

Cupping (hijama) is a cure for every disease if performed in its correct time. The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure.” [Saheeh Muslim (5706)]. The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Whoever performs cupping (hijama) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic month) then it is a cure for every disease.” [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3861)].
There are specific points on the body where the cups are applied for each ailment.

Is cupping (hijama) from the Sunnah?

Above are just some of the authentic narrations which show that cupping (hijama) is from the Sunnah of the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam). Please see our ‘Authentic Narrations’ page for more authentic narrations about cupping (hijama).
The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Whoever revives a Sunnah from my Sunnah and the people practise it, s/he will have the same reward of those who practise it without their reward diminishing…” [Sunan ibn Maajah (209)].
Authentic Narrations About Cupping (Al-Hijama)

Cupping (Hijama) Is The Best Of Remedies

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)].
Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (hijama).” [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3857), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3476)].

The Angels Recommending Cupping (Hijama) .

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) 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 cupping (hijama), O Muhammad.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3477)].
In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) the angels said, “Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with cupping (hijama).” [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)].
Cupping (Hijama) Is A Prevention

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

Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (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.” [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3861)].

The Best Days For Cupping (Hijama)

The best days for cupping (hijama) are the 17th, 19th and 21st of the Islamic month which coincide with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.
Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Whoever wants to perform cupping (hijama) then let him search for 17th, 19th and 21st…” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)].
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. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping (hijama) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping (hijama) on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allaah saved Ayoub (AS) 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 (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Cupping (hijama) 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 Allaah. 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)].

As for the Islamic day and night, the night enters before the day. So at sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday night comes in. Cupping (hijama) 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 cupping (hijama) every month are when the 17th or 19th or 21st of the lunar month coincide with a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. These are the best and most beneficial days for cupping (hijama). If one is not able to be cupped on 17th, 19th or 21st (coinciding with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday) then any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday of the month.

Cupping (Hijama) May Be Used For:

Headaches: Salma (may Allaah be pleased with him), the servant of the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Whenever someone would complain of a headache to the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) would advise them to perform cupping (hijama).” [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3858)].

Magic : Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentions that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) 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 (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned meat to the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) so he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) sent her a message saying, “What caused you to do that?” She replied, “If you really are a Prophet then Allaah will inform you of it and if you are not then I would save the people from you!” When the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) felt pain from it, he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) performed cupping (hijama). Once he travelled while in Ihram and felt that pain and hence performed cupping (hijama). [Ahmed (1/305) the hadeeth is hasan (good chain with all the paths)].

Strengthening One’s Intelligence And Memory: 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. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping (hijama) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping (hijama) on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allaah 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)].* ‘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.


Diseases that can be treated by cupping:
Common cold and cough
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
Eye problems – myopia, early cataract, conjunctivitis
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