by Sofia (in collaboration with Team Ayeina)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The best medical treatment you apply is cupping. [Abu Dawud]
1) Because Muhammad (ﷺ) recommended it:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said): “Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterizing).” But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire.” [Bukhari]
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: If anyone has himself cupped on the 17th, 19th and 21st it will be a remedy for every disease. [Abu Dawud]
2) Because Muhammad (ﷺ) did it himself:
The Prophet (ﷺ) is said to have had hijama on top of his head, his foot, both sides of his neck and between his shoulders etc. The practice of hijama was continued by his companions after his death and it has a strong presence in middle eastern countries to this date.
The Prophet (ﷺ) was cupped on his head for an ailment he was suffering from while he was in a state of Ihram. at a water place called Lahl Jamal. Ibn `Abbas further said: Allah s Apostle was cupped on his head for unilateral headache while he was in a state of Ihram . [Bukhari]
3) Because it is beneficial and painless:
Most of the people who never get it done are those who fear the procedure and think it will hurt a lot. Rest assured that slight incisions are completely harmless and painless when done by a professional. They don’t leave any mark on your body like a deep cut does.
The word Hijama in Arabic is derived from word ‘Hajm’ which means ‘sucking’.
Hijama is performed by applying cups on different points of the body which then generate negative pressure through vacuum and allows the blood to accumulate or flow towards it, the pressure is then released and superficial incisions are made on the surface of the skin.
After the incisions, cups are reapplied on the same parts and blood is collected in these to be disposed off later. This blood is believed to be diseased or unhealthy and its discharge provides a way for detoxification by removing pathogens, toxins, and impurities from blood which might be blocking the passage for its smooth flow.
These impurities may also result in hormonal imbalances which in turn cause many illnesses in the human body.
4) Because it helps with physical ailments:
Due to its ability to allow your body to function in an optimal way; hijama can be used for a number of health issues namely:
*Migraines: As per Sunnah of our Prophet (ﷺ), hijama has been found to be very effective for migraine and/or headache. Please note that the part of your head needs to be shaved before getting hijama done. Your mane will come back soon, don’t worry. If you have long hair then it gets hidden beneath the layers anyway.
The maid-servant of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), said: No one complained to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) of a headache but he told him to get himself cupped…[Abu Dawud]
*Detoxification: An important aspect of hijama is that it can be done even in the absence of any illness because it is a very good source of providing detox and thus optimizing the functioning of internal organs – like strengthening of immune system and white blood cell production etc.
*Rheumatic Diseases/Arthritis/Muscle Spasm: For centuries hijama has been used to provide relief from joint aches, muscle stiffness, sprains, frozen shoulder(s), arthritis and chronic joint rheumatism.
*Bulging Disc Pain: The presence of toxins in your body can result in causing bulging disc problem because these toxins weaken the body tissues by obstructing the blood flow or stopping the nutrients from reaching their target areas.
Apart from above-mentioned illnesses hijama is also effective for lung problems like asthma, chronic cough, bronchial congestion, pleurisy, and pneumonia; for chronic gastroenteritis problems and constipation, urinary diseases, dermatological issues, female fertility and hormonal imbalances.
5) Because it’s effective for emotional well-being:
Since hijama is effective in balancing the hormones of the body, it can keep the basic imbalances in the body in check biíthnillah. Usually, insomnia or general stress is treated with Hijama in conjunction with the massage.
A large number of people have been facing the problem of chronic fatigue without the presence of any physiological or psychological disease. Once more it has been seen that in undergoing cupping the person feels a significant improvement in his/her fatigue problem.
Psychological problems and hypertension can also be cured through hijama.
Although it can have different effects on different people and there may still be a need for medical intervention if your condition demands so, but at the end, it can be safely said that Hijama incorporates the hidden potential of being the cure for so many common illnesses we suffer.
The Prophet (ﷺ) was cupped and he paid the wages to the one who had cupped him and then took Su’ut (Medicine sniffed by nose). [Bukhari]
For some people, hijama alone can do wonders. For some, it can help a great deal by combining it with other medicines. Nonetheless, a medical expert should be consulted beforehand and you should make sure that the one who is doing hijama is qualified to do so.
Concerns regarding Hijama
With so many comments, we realized there are following main concerns of the people who’re afraid to get Hijama/cupping done:
1) PAIN:
It is slightly uncomfortable of course, but it doesn’t hurt like a deep cut does, or how an injection may feel. Many patients describe the feeling of shallow incisions as ticklish or light scratching.
2) SIGHT OF BLOOD:
It is mostly done on the back or the head – so any kind of blood will be out of your sight. Ask someone to distract you if the fear overwhelms you. The procedure doesn’t take long.
4) MARKS ON SKIN:
It shouldn’t leave any marks if a professional is doing it! After a few weeks, you won’t be able to tell where you got hijama done.
4) PLACEBO EFFECT:
Let’s say it’s a placebo effect – if you get healed psychologically through something that is in sunnah, then there’s only good in it. Your belief has an amazing capability to heal you! You get the reward for following the sunnah and you get benefits without going through any harmful medical intervention.
“To speak to the concern about a placebo effect, in short: it’s not! Hijama (aka Islamic medicine) and Chinese medicine both share a root foundation that toxins in our bloodstream are at the root of a lot of health issues. The idea of hijama and Chinese medicine is to not only remove the toxins, but also improve the circulation of blood. As an educational scientist, I can tell you that hijama (like Chinese medicine) is empirically based, with a number of peer-reviewed publications to support their efficacy”. [Muslim Kid Lit].
Hope that answers most of the concerns you have! Rest, you can always consult the hijama practitioner or a doctor before the procedure.
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Co-Author’s Bio: Sofia is a housewife during the day and a writing ninja during the night, and is based in New York. She typically writes about alternative therapies, health, fitness, home decor etc. She loves her kids more than anything, and she treats her writings as her kids as well! She is offering a free ebook by Hijama Nation on everything you need to know about Hijama.
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I really want to get hijama dome. I definitely think I will benefit greatly but the irrational fear is just too much SubhanAllaah lol I think I will take the plunge soon in shaa Allaah!
Definitely dive in! It does not and should not hurt. So tear that fear apart 😀 I think it’s crucial for mums :p
I’m dying to have it done again!
I have always wanted to try it but am too chicken for it lol Reading the above post , I shall try to muster courage the next time inshaAllah.
Yes you SHOULD! Totally worth it! If you’re a mother, this should be a piece of cake 😂
Such a fan of hijama! Glad you did this post as many people are unaware.
We are huge fans too 💞 thanks to sofia for this 🙂
I LOVE CUPPING! I had the opportunity to do it the sunnah way in some small local clinic in Madinah, alhamdulillah it was done in the most traditional way possible yet very hygienic. The same people who do for Sheikh Sudais and his family did my family’s. I can go on to tell you how beneficial it is, I felt amazing after and it was so worth the little pain. I did mine on my lower back where I have a lot of pain from and I kid you not for a very long time (over a year) there was no pain! Thank you for sharing the post really made me want to work out a plan and get some cupping done lol (www.beautywithzainy.com and http://www.spicyfusionkitchen.com)
Oooo we got it done from madina as well alhamdulillah and it was amazing!
Hello I am a cupping therapist so I no hijama is the best treatment forever
I just want to know results for hair loss will it be possible to gain thick n healthy hairs after hijama ? I am a girl aged 26 having female baldness pattern very thin n weak hair and its hereditary in my family so will it work on me to rebuild my hair issues
Can it be done on scalp?.is it safe?
Assalamualaikum.
I want to know if shaving of the head is allowed for women to do hijama.
Jazakallahu Khair.
walaikum assalam. We aren’t scholars, so perhaps try asking info@assimalhakeem.net (his replies are usually prompt). Other that that, shaving the whole head is not really required for the hijama on head. You just need a circular part of your head shaved, where the hijama cup is applied.
asslaamualaikum, can i get hijama done on my head after a week interval.. like i just got my head hijama done yesterday and wanted to do it once again so can i get it done in 1 weeks interval or should i have to wait for a month to get my second session of head hijama..
Will it help with the muscle weakness caused by antibiotics ?
Assalam u alaikum. I’m not an expert in this field sis, but I would recommend it on a personal level – as for antibiotics weakening our gut microbiome, try organic vinegar (taking vinegar as a condiment is also a sunnah as per this hadith – https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:736 “The Prophet (ﷺ) asked for sauce and was told that there was nothing except vinegar. He asked for it and began to eat from it saying, “How excellent is vinegar when eaten as sauce! How excellent is vinegar when eaten as Udm!”). Also, regular exercise may help too along with good healthy food.