Cupping / Hijama Therapy

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

**What is cupping (hijama)?

Cupping (hijama) is the best remedy recommended and used by the Messenger(sw). The Messenger
said,

"Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…" [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)].

He also said that

On the night of Israa (his ascension to the heavens) he r 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)].

Thisshows 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 sterile surgical
blade or).

• 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.

Although dry and massage cupping (hijama) are very beneficial, they are not from the Sunnah. However,
they fall under the general hadeeth: The Messenger r said, "For every disease there is a cure so if the
medicine comes upon the disease it cures it by the will of Allah, the Most High." [Saheeh Muslim
(2204)].
Wet cupping (hijama) - This is the process of using a vacuum at different points on the body but with
small 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).

**Is cupping (hijama) a cure for every disease?

Cupping (hijama) is a cure for every disease if performed in its correct time. The Messenger r said,

"Indeed in cupping (hijama) there is a cure." [Saheeh Muslim (5706)].

Rasulullah(sw) 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)].

There are specific points on the body where the cups are applied for each ailment. Please see our
'Where To Cup' page for further details.

**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 r. Please see our 'Authentic Narrations' page for more authentic narrations about
cupping (hijama).

The Messenger r 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)].

“Indeed in hijama (cupping) there is a cure”. – Saheeh Muslim

“Indeed, the best of remedies you have is hijama (cupping)”. – Saheeh Al Bukhari

“Hijama is the most helpful procedure for human beings to cure themselves”.– Saheeh Al Bukhari and
Saheel Muslim

The importance of hijama in the divine guidance can further be stressed by the following words which
were related to the Prophet SAW on the night of Israa (ascension to the heaven) by angles:

“O Mohammed, order your ummah (people) with hijama (cupping)”.– Saheeh, Sunan Tirmidhi.

The Prophet Muhammad ‫ صالللهعليهوسلم‬is reported to have had hijama perfromed on his head for
migraine [Bukhari], on his foot after a sprain [Ibn Majah], on his neck [Abu Dawud], on his hip for hip
pain [Abu Dawud] and between his shoulders for detoxification [Ahmed].

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ‫ صالللهعليهوسلم‬said: “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 Majah]
“The best medicine with which you treat yourselves is cupping, or it is one of the best of your
medicines.” Or“The treatment you can use is cupping.” [Bukhari: 5371]

“Cupping is the most helpful procedure for human beings to cure themselves.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger ‫ صالللهعليهوسلم‬said,

“If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (hijama).” [Sunan Abu
Dawud, Sunan Ibn Majah]

Where to Apply in Body?

There are total 9 points of the body where prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam were
performed hijama. These are the sunnah points of hijama.

In gazawah khybre while our beloved prophet Muhammad s.a.w.sallam was poisoned, he took hijama at
3 point on the kahil, we feel that a cup was applied behind the heart ( at the left of kahil), & the third
was either a little bit lower to this point or on the right side of the kahil, Allah knows the best.

Abdul Razzaq narrated that,

“A jewish woman brought to prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam a roasted that she had
poisoned, while he was in khyber, our beloved prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam asked,
what is this, she said, a gift, being careful not to say that it was from charity so that he would not eat it.
Prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam and sahaba (his companions) ate from the sheep, then
our prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam said,” stop eating”. He said to the women,’Did you
poison this sheep?, she said,”who told you that”? He said , this bone, meaning the ewe’s leg that he had
in his hand. She said, “Yes”. He said, “Why”? She said, I thought that if you were a liar, the people would
be relieved from you. However, if you were a true prophet, it would not harm you. Prophet Muhammad
Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam then used hijama (cupping ) thrice on the kahil (upper part of his back ) and
commanded that his companions do the same. Yet, several of them died.”

Narrated by ibn majah, on the authority of Ali razi allaho anh that

angel Jibreel advised prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam for hijama at Akhda’ain
(posterior jugulars) and KAHIL (upper back ~between the shoulder).

Reported by abu kabsha al anmari raza allaho anh that

prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam took hijama on Haamah & between the shoulder
(which is KAHIL). Narrated by abu dawood & ibn~majah.

Reported by Abdullah bin bujainah razi allaho anh that

prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam took hijama on the centre of his head (yafookh) and
he was in Ehraam while his journey to Makkah (Name of the place where they stopped is mentioned as
lahyi jamal)

“used hijama (wet cupping) on the qamahduwah (above the nape cavity), for it cures seventy two kinds
of ailments.”(Narrated by Tabraani)

Abu dawood narrated that jabir razi allaho anh said that

prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam used hijama (wet cupping) on his hip because of a
debilitation he suffered from.
Prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa Sallam also took hijama on the hip & top of his foot, which
explains that hijama at the painful area is also recommended by tibbenabavi.

Reported by Anas razi allaho anh that (while in Ehraam), prophet Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wa
Sallam took hijama on the top of his foot due to the pain that area. Narrated by Abu Dawood.