“I did not pass by any group of
angels on the night of Al-Isra, unless they said to me, O Muhammad (SAW), tell
your Ummah to do Hijama”
(Narrated by At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
‘Hijama‘ is the Arabic for an ancient method of healing known in English as Wet
Cupping or bloodletting. It is a therapeutic process that involves creating
negative pressure against the skin by means of vacuum (induced manually,
electrically or by fire) using any of the various vessels such as horns, glass
jars, bamboo cups or more recently disposable plastic cups. It then involves
superficial scratches on the skin to help release pathogens, toxins and the
‘excess’, rendering this therapy the best and fastest detox known to man! It is
also a very effective therapy in promoting blood circulation, boosting immunity,
rebalancing body hormones and energy, making it the best therapy for general
health and well-being for those individuals who wish to have Hijama performed as
a preventive measure but also as a treatment and cure for tens of ailments from
body aches and pains including sports injuries all the way to cholesterol,
diabetes, blood pressure, headaches and migraines, asthma, anaemia, menstrual
problems and infertility, sexual problems, skin conditions, psychological
disorders including stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia…etc. Hijama is
noticeably effective for the treatment of metaphysical and spiritual conditions
such as Evil Eye, Black Magic and Jinn possession or for those conditions that
medical practise can not account for.
Hijama Therapy is a safe procedure if performed correctly, and unlike drugs and
pharmaceutical medications, Hijama has no side effects and does not inject
substances in the body or prescribe internalising anything. It in fact releases
toxic build-up out of the system as opposed to increasing chemical and toxic
accumulation.
History of Cupping Therapy:
Cupping was widespread throughout the whole of Europe (including the UK), Asia
and more so in the Islamic societies where this ancient prophetic practice was
and still is an acceptable practice used as a remedy and supported by religious
beliefs.
The Ancient Egyptians, Greeks as well as the Chinese used this therapy. An
indication of the long history of cupping is evident as the, Ebers Papyrus,
recognised as the oldest medical textbook written in approximately 1550 BCE in
Egypt mentions the art of cupping (Curtis, 2005).
Cupping was also practiced by famous Arab physicians as Al-Razi (865-925) and
Ibn Sina or best known to the west as Avicenna (980-1037).
It’s worth mentioning that in mainly rural Bangladesh a similar practice by the
name of ‘Shinga’ has been practised by particular individuals. Many Muslims in
Bangladesh seem to associate it with witchcraft and other possibly unislamic
practises, which discourages many Muslims from having the therapy done. It must
be highlighted that this does not detract from the fact that if done correctly
and by the right practitioner in the right context, it is an effective method of
healing and after all an authentic Sunnah of the prophet (SAW).
In the West, cupping remained an important part of medicine and therapy, both-
conventional / alternative, and folk-based, until the early 20th century. The
surgeon Charles Kennedy wrote, in 1826:
“The art of cupping has been so well-known, and the benefits arising from it so
long experienced, that it is quite unnecessary to bring forward testimonials in
favour of what has received not only the approbation of modern times, but also
the sanction of remotest antiquity.”
Today Cupping therapy is enjoying resurgence in popularity as more and more
people learn about it and experience its healing power for themselves. This
therapy is drawing interest from celebrities like Oscar winning actress Gwyneth
Paltrow who had cupping done. As a result and on 9th July 2005 this therapy
enjoyed a worldwide coverage by all types of media fuelling discussions on the
subject and in fact participating greatly in its resurgence!
Today there are a multitude of centres around the world offering dry/wet cupping
therapy, spanning from Malaysia, Middle East, Turkey and an upsurge of companies
and practitioners offering the therapy in the United kingdom.
Hijama in Islamic Practice
The Prophet Muhammed (SAW) advised cupping in over 28 holy instructions, and
urged the people to use it. It is beyond the scope of this article to elaborate
on all those narrations but we have selected a few that emphasise the importance
of this beneficial practice.
Alongside the Hadith at the start of the article, the following are some
essential information from the Prophetic tradition about Hijama.
The Prophet (SAW) 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 or cauterization with fire, but I do not like to be cauterized.”
(Narrated by Muslim)
The Prophet of Allah (SWT) used cupping on his honourable head for migraine (Al-Bukhari),
on his honourable hip joint (Abu Dawud) and back of the neck (Kahill) lateral
sides of the neck and between shoulders (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
and said that “cupping on the back of the neck [elkamahdowa] treats 72
illnesses! (At Tabarani).
Ibn Al-Qayyum mentions that the Messenger (SAW) was afflicted with black magic
and was cupped on the head to treat it. He also highlights that Hijama is one of
the best cures to treat black magic if performed correctly (Zaad al Ma’aad)
Islamic research as well as medical research in this area is highly recommended
for health conscious Muslims and students of knowledge, as this constitutes a
huge Dawa potential, let alone the potential health benefits for mankind!
Remember that the Prophet (SAW) said: “the Strong believer is better and more
beloved to Allah (SWT) than the weak one”! Also it is imperative for Muslim
preachers to revive this much forgotten Sunnah and effective method of healing
by having it done themselves first and by raising awareness about it amongst the
masses. Thus far, there is little coverage of this important subject in Islamic
discourse and consequently little practice.
On a final note, we must always remember that Shifaa comes from Allah (SWT)
alone and to implement and revive the practice of His beloved Rasool (SAW) will
no doubt bring about His blessings and hopefully cure insha’Allah (SWT).
Cupping, the technique, is very useful and very safe and can be easily
incorporated into your family health practices.