Al Hujjamah

Al Hujjamah (Cupping)

Is an Islamic remedy to cure all forms of illnesses of the body, mentally , and spiritually.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Jibreel came to me and informed me that indeed Hujjamah is beneficial to heel people with it." [Sahih Al-Jāmi: 218]

The Hujjamah Method:

The suction of blood by incisions on the top of the skin in specific areas of the body that are mentioned in the Prophetic Medicines. 

It is preferred that one uses band new cups for every new patient to prevent any contagious diseases spreading. Also one must use some form of sanitizer in order to purify incisions, & cups before and after applying the Hujjamah. As for the incisions they should be specified according to which type of Hujjamah is applied.

The Hujjamah is of two types:

1-prerequisites of Caution:

Recommend dates in accordance to the Hijari calendar:

17, 19, 21

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whosoever wishes to perform Hujjamah then do so on: 17th, 19th, 21th... [Sahih Ibn Majah: 2808].

Or any of the odd days of the month:

Narrated by Annas Bin Malik who said: "The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ would perform Hujjamah on the odd days of the month." [Tadheed Al-Athār: 2856].

The recommended days:

Monday or Tuesday or Thursday 

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Cupping on an empty stomach is better, and there is healing and barakah (blessing) in it. It improves clarity of mind and the memory. So use cupping with the blessing of Allaah on Thursdays, and avoid cupping on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and use cupping on Mondays and Tuesdays, for that is the day when Allaah relieved Ayyoob (Job) of his afflictions, and He smote him with those afflictions on a Wednesday. So no leprosy beginning s except on a Wednesday or the night of Wednesday.” 

[al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 766]

Note:

If the dates conflict with the days (not coinciding with one another), then one takes the dates over the days. 

On a empty stomach:

That one must not do Hujjamah on a full stomach, minimum 3 to 4 hours after eating (full stomach). Also it is not necessary to perform Hujjamah early in the morning because it has been confirmed that the companions use to perform Hujjamah during the nights of Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Cupping on an empty stomach is better..." 

2-For Necessities:

In necessary situations there are no specific conditions that apply, it is permissible to do so at any time. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Indeed in Hujjamah there is a cure." [Agreed upon]. 

The body parts for Hujjamah:

1-Al Hammah 

Coronal:

The front part of the head

2-Al Yaafuokh 

Parietal:

Center of the head and its surroundings

3-Al Akhdaaiyn  

Lateral cervical: the side of the neck left and right

4-Al Kahil 

Thoracic: the center of the back a little below the the cervical area. 

5-The top of the feet

6-Al Qamhadwah

Middle backside of the scull 

7-Naqrah Al Qifaa

Occipital: the lower backside of the scull. 

Some of the medical professionals of Hujjamah differed in regards to if the Naqrah Al Qifaa is the same as the Al Qamhadwah, and a group of them approved of this opinion. Another group refuted them by saying: this opinion is disapproved. What is commonly known is that it may cause delay in the brain by weakening it if it is not used for necessity, but if one uses it for the prevalence of blood (around the backside of the head) then this could be beneficial as been medical approved. There are Hadiths narrated in regards to Al Qamhadwah and Naqrah Qifaa but they are graded weak, these is why it is best to only perform Hujjamah in these areas for necessity. Furthermore it is preferable that one seeks medical advice before performing it in these two areas. 

Note:

That all these areas (that have been mentioned for Hujjamah) include men and women, and one may cut incisions without having to shave ones body hair.

The permissibility in Hujjamah:

Hujjamah can be performed for nearly all ages, and also it is acceptable for the pregnant woman, the breastfeeding woman,women in their menses, the after birth blood of a woman, and even the woman who doesn't have her periods thus any other illness.

Certain myths that needs correcting:

1- The Hadith: bury blood, is not authentic 

2-The Hadith: Ghusal from Hujjamah, is not authentic.

3-The Hadith: Hujjamah must be performed every year or in spring or every night & day, is not authentic.

4-The Hadith: withdraw blood, is not authentic.

5-Hujjamah performed on a empty stomach, does not entail one must fast.

6-The Hujjamah is not complete until the blood stops (bleeding).

7-The blood which  bleeds from Hujjamah is not rotten blood.

8-There is no authentic Hadith confirmed which states there's dried blood, rather it is narrated opposite (blood is not dry).

9-Nothing is confirmed that states sexual intercourse causes harm after performing Hujjamah.

10-Nothing is confirmed that states drinking milk causes harm after performing Hujjamah or anything in its similarity.

11-It is a false claim that Hujjamah delays pregnancy.  

12-It is not suffice to claim that the bleeding of menstruation and after birth blood replaces Hujjamah.

 13-All areas (of incision) that are previously mentioned can be performed all in the same day.

14-The more specific areas that have been mentioned can be performed according to necessity.