hijamah(cupping therapy)

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Al-Hijamah الحجــامة 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.

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Hijamah is the Best of Remediesحدثنا محمد بن مقاتل أخبرنا عبد الله أخبرنا حميد الطويل عن أنس رضي الله عنه  أنه سئل عن أجر الحجام فقال احتجم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم

وقال وكلم مواليه فخففوا عنه حجمه أبو طيبة وأعطاه صاعين من طعام إن أمثل ما تداويتِم ِبِه الحجامة

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)].

حدثنا موسى بن إسمعيل حدثنا حماد عن محمد بن عمرو عن أبي قال إن كان سلمة عن أبي هريرة  أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم

 في شيء مَما تداويتِم ِبِه خيَّر فالحجامةAbu 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

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " ما مررت ليلة المالئكة ، إال كلهم يقول لي : عليك أسري بي بمأل من

يا محمد بالحجامة "

The Messenger of Allaah (SAW) said: “I did not pass by any group of angels on the night of the Isra’ [the Prophet’s 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 al-Saheehah, 2263.]

In Hijamah is a Cure

حدثنا أبو نعيم حدثنا عبد الرحمن بن الغسيل عن عاصم بن عمر بن قتادة قال سمعت جابر بن عبد

الله رضي الله عنهما قال  سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول إن كان في شيء من أدويتكم أو يكون في شيء من أدويتكم خير ففي شرطة محجم أو

 شربة عسل أو لذعة بنار توافق الداء وما أحب أن أكتويAccording 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

قال ابن عباس قال نبي الله صلى الله عليه وسلم نعم العبد الحجام يذهب الدم ويخف الصلب ويجلو عن البصر عن عائشة

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

عن أنس قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم إذ هاج باحدكم الدم فليحتجم فان الدم إذا تبيغ بصاحبه يقتله

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 HijamahThere is some evidence from ahadith to indicate

that cupping is best performed in the second half of the month.

حدثنا أبو توبة الربيع بن نافع حدثنا سعيد بن عبد الرحمن الجمحي عن سهيل عن أبيه عن أبي هريرة قال  قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من احتجم

 لسبع عشرة وتسع عشرة وإحدى وعشرين كان شفاء من كل داء

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).

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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 Hijamah1 – 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 hipAbu 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 footal-Nasaa’i (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 al-Nasaa’i.] 

Other Locations for HijamahBesides 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 toRelease local toxinsStimulate the lymphatic systemClear blockages or stagnated circulationActivate and clear the veins, arteries and

capillariesRealign and balance vital energyPromote and improve circulation

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Importance of the Lymphatic System

Some Conditions Treated through Cupping

1. Migraine headaches2. Rheumatoid Arthritis3. Stiff or swollen joints, especially in the neck and back4. Stomach ulcers and problems associated with diabetes5. High blood pressure6. Psychological disorders and some cases of paralysis 7. Magic 8. Back pain, joint pain, gout, constipation, digestive problems,

loss of appetite9. Insomnia, problems associated with menstruation10. Headaches11. Strengthening One's Intelligence And Memory12. Poison

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Types of Cupping

“Dry cupping” uses special cups and a suction pump on certain pressure points and meridians on 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 legs and deep 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 cupping but 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 CuppingDry 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

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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 CuppingHijamah Jaafa

Wet CuppingHijamah

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Different Types of Cupping Sets

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Awareness of the Risks

Suspected hemorrhageSunburns or burns in generalOpen wounds or recent traumaShould be avoided lower and upper abdomen

whilst pregnantShould 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