1. Hijama Cupping Therapy is a Sunnah way of Treatment
Narrated by Ibn Majah, on the authority of Ali Radi Allaho Anh that angel JIBREEL advised Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam for Hijamah at Akhda’ain (posterior jugulars) and KAHIL (upper back ~ between the shoulders). Amongst all these amazing miracles, Allah the Exalted also ordered the Angels to instruct Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to establish hijama or cupping therapy;
“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, O Muhammad’” Sahih; Sunan Ibn Majah – 3477
2. The Best of Medicines
Hijama was declared the best of medicines by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), alongside the Quran.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Cupping is the most helpful procedure for human beings to cure themselves.” (Sahih al-Bukhari – 5357)
3. Other Cultures Practice Cupping Therapy, Too
Cupping therapy has been practiced for centuries globally. The first documented medical text was found in 1550 BC in Egypt. Cupping was also discovered in China over 5,000 years ago and is still practiced to this day. It was commonly practiced in the Roman Empire, Islamic Empire, Europe, Russia, Central Asia, South Asia, and the United States. It was very popular during the Middle Ages and 18th and 19th Centuries in Europe. Right now it is most popular in China, Finland, Russia and many Muslim-majority countries.
4. Cupping Therapy vs. Hijama
Cupping therapy is the name of the actual procedure itself. A vacuum is created in a cup and placed on the body. This vacuum causes a negative pressure and pulls the muscles into the cup and therefore, draws the blood to the cupped area. This is known as dry cupping. Then you remove the cup in order to make small, shallow incisions in that same area, before putting the cup back on. This pulls out the toxic blood, acids and excess fluids from the body. This is known as wet, or blood cupping.
But what differentiates hijama is the religious and spiritual aspect of the practice. “Hijama” is the Islamic version of cupping therapy. Muslims practice cupping therapy, in accordance to the way of the Prophet ﷺ. It means that the patient and hijama practitioner should have recite Quran/Dua during the cupping procedure.
5. Hijama Returns the Body to a Normal State
“Hijama” in Arabic literally means “to suck” and to “return to a normal state” of internal balance. It ultimately helps the body to create a balance, healthy alkaline environment by removing acidity. This fixes any problem that the body has, by bringing it to its normal state. Hijama cupping therapy is a holistic, super powerful detox which removes toxic and stagnant blood from your body. It expels negative, unhealthy elements from the body, and allows it to replenish itself.
6. The Medical Benefits
Cupping is an excellent form of preventative and curative therapy. Listed below are some of the ways cupping helps:
1. Boosts the circulatory and immune systems
2. Cleanses and detoxifies the body
3. Treats illness and relaxes the patient
4. Pain relief
5. Fertility
6. Hijama is also useful for treating many muscular, skeletal, neurological, immune, cardio-vascular, respiratory, digestive and urinary issues.
Some of its benefits were highlighted by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him):
Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Cupping on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory. It improves the memory of the one memorizing….” (Sahih; Sunan Ibn Majah – 3488).
7. It Works On an Emotional Level, Too
Islamic medicine is holistic and works on the levels of mind, body and soul. Hijama cupping therapy is a minor, surgical procedure which has immediate physical effect. However, it also serves to alleviate, mental, emotional, spiritual and metaphysical issues. It is very relaxing and dispels anxiety and depression. According ibn Al Qaiyum, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had Hijama performed upon his head to remove black magic which had been cast upon him;
Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) 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. [Zad al-Ma’ad (4/125-126)]
8. There Are Sunnah Points on Your Body
The traditional sunnah points for hijama therapy are on the upper back, which essentially target the heart, lungs, brain and spine. All are major foundations for optimal health.
9. Best Times/Dates of Hijama / Cupping Therapy
Hijama cupping is both a preventative and curative remedy. It is recommended that you should have a cupping detox, and then use hijama as a form of maintenance 2-4 times a year if you are healthy. If you have serious medical conditions, it can be performed more often. It is best to have cupping performed on the “Sunnah Days” according to hadith:
“Whoever performs Hijama cupping in the 17th, 19th and 21st day (of the Islamic Lunar month), then it is a cure for every disease”. (Sahih; Sunan Ibn Majah – 3861).
10. The Hijama Therapist Has a Special Status
Imagine having a career in a blessed profession that the Holy Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has praised himself;
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If there is anything good in the medicines with which you treat yourselves, it is in the incision of the hijama therapist, or a drink of honey….” (Muslim – 2205)