HIJAMA AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF PROPHETIC MEDICINE

Vlog by Dr. Mehwish Iqbal

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “On the night of Isra (the miraculous journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to the heavens), every group of angels I encountered urged me, saying: ‘O Muhammad, instruct your community to practice cupping (hijama).’” This narration highlights the significance of hijama as an essential aspect of prophetic medicine. Today, modern clinical studies increasingly support its therapeutic value, showing effectiveness in alleviating various conditions such as persistent back pain and severe migraines.

Hijama cupping was commonly practiced in hammams (Turkish baths), often alongside other complementary therapies such as massage, leech therapy (hirudotherapy), venesection, and hydrotherapy. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is known to have actively endorsed and personally benefited from Hijama, making it a central element in Prophetic Medicine. According to Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (Al-Jauziyyah, 2003), cupping is recommended for a wide range of ailments.

"قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "خير ما تداويتم به الحجامة

"Indeed, the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5371).

Importantly, the guidance extended beyond the act of cupping itself—it included insights into its therapeutic benefits, the strategic placement of cups based on the patient’s condition, and the optimal timing for treatment, often aligned with the lunar calendar. Avicenna, in his renowned work Al-Qanun Fi’l-Tibb, advised against cupping at the beginning of the lunar month, noting that the body’s internal balance is typically undisturbed during that phase. He also discouraged cupping at the end of the month, as the body’s vitality may have waned by then.

Avicenna noted that cupping therapy is most beneficial when performed mid-month, as this is when bodily humors tend to accumulate and become more active (Avicenna et al., 2014). Various Hadiths, as cited by Imam Ibn Qayyim Al-Jauziyah, mention that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would undergo cupping therapy on the upper back and jugular veins, specifically on the 17th, 19th, or 21st days of the lunar month.

The ideal time for cupping is typically two to three hours after bathing. Additional recommendations include dietary adjustments such as fasting the day before treatment, consuming plenty of green leafy vegetables, and avoiding milk and dairy products during the days surrounding the therapy.

Hijama, or wet cupping therapy, serves three primary functions: it helps preserve overall health, acts as a preventive measure against disease, and supports the management of various medical conditions. Among the different forms of cupping, bleeding cupping became the most widely practiced and endorsed technique, especially by early European physicians. They employed wet cupping to draw out what was considered “harmful” or stagnant blood, which at the time was believed to be the root cause of many illnesses.

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