#185: Ruling on Cupping

QUESTION:

ON CUPPING

“As-Salaamu Alaykum. Please I need elaboration on cupping an its benefits ,and advice to Muslims who thinks is something backward”

ANSWER:

Wa alaykum Salām Warahmatullāh Wabarakātuh!

Alhamdulillāh; Inshā Allāh, we will just give a brief explanation of what Cupping is here and then refer you to a place you can get a more detailed explanation.

Generally, Cupping is an ancient method of causing local congestion, were a vacuum is created with the use of vessels, which are placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction, which then draws up the underlying tissues. When the cups are left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.

It traces back to millions of years ago in chinese, egyptian and asian medicine. And it was common medicine in the time of the Rasul – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam.

The Rasul – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – not only satisfied with its method, he also encouraged it and did it himself.
Imaam Al-Bukhāri transmitted in his Sahih from Sa’id bn Jubayr from ‘Abdullāh bn Abbās – radiyallāhu ‘anhuma – that the Prophet – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – said:

“Cure (to ailments) are found in three: the drinking of Honey, the incision of Cupping and the Cauterization with fire. And I forbid my Ummah from Cauterization.”

In the Hadīth of Jābir bn ‘Abdillāh – radiyallaahu ‘anhuma – he said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – saying:

“If there is good in any of your treatments, then it is in the incision of the Cupper, or the Drinking of Honey or the Cauterization with fire. And I dislike Cauterization (for my Ummah).”

Agreed Upon by Bukhāri and Muslim

And in the Hadith they both (Bukhāri and Muslim) transmitted, Anas bn Mālik – radiyallāhu ‘anhu – was asked about earnings from Cupping and he said:

“The Messenger of Allāh – sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – underwent cupping. He was cupped by Abū Tayyiba. Then he ordered that two Sa’ of food be given to him. He spoke to his family, so they apportioned for him from his produce. And he – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – said:

‘Indeed the best of what you make treatment with is Al-Hajjāmah, or it is the best of your treatments.”

It is also reported that the Rasul – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – allowed his family to undergo cupping. Once, Umm Salamah sought his permission to undergo cupping. The Prophet – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – then ordered Abū Tayyibah to cupp her. It was said that Abū Tayyibah was her foster brother or he was a young boy who was below puberty.

The Hadith is recorded by Imām Muslim.

And At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah transmitted from Ibn ‘Abbās – radiyallāhu ‘anhumā- from the Rasūl – salallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam – that he said:

“In the night of Israa, I did not pass by any group of Angels unless that they said to me: O Muhammad, take the Hajjaamah very important.”

And in another narration of the Hadith:

‘O Muhammad, order your Ummah to undergo the Cupping.”

About this Hadīth, Hāfidh Al-Irāqi declared it Gharīb in ‘Al-Arba’ūna Al-Ashariyya’. And Al-Albāni said in ‘As-Silsilatu As-Sahihah’ that the Hadith has Corroborating narrations that confirm its veracity.

Imām Ibn Al-Qayyim – rahimahullāh – dedicated long passages to Hajjaamah in his book ‘Tibbu An-Nabawi’ as is found in ‘Zādu Al-Mi’ād’.

Of what he said is the following:

“Indeed Al-Hajjaama in hot seasons, in temperate regions and on temperature-high bodies, and in which the blood of its people is much is highly beneficial.”

For the Muslims out there who think it is archaic, then you have to, after considering the Ahaadith quoted above and the importance that the Rasul – salallaahu ‘alayhiw asallam – attached to it also consider that, in modern times, medical doctors are increasingly encouraging it and most people in the west are highly opting for it these days than they opt for massaging, as they use it to relax tense and exhausted bodies aside using it to cure certain diseases.

You may get more information on the website: www.alhijamah.com

Most of the information posted there is correct inshaa Allaah.

Jazaakumullāhu Khayran! Bārakallāhu Fīkum!

Alhamdulillāh! That will be the last question we will be treating for the week.

Other pending questions are questions that reached us on or after Sunday the 15th of November which will all – inshaa Allaah – be properly answered by the end of the week.

We urge our Brothers who asked questions to be patient with us.

Baarakallaahu feekum! Jazaakumullaahu Khayran!