Virtues and benefits of cupping

The word hijaamah (cupping) comes for the word hajm
which means sucking, as in the phrase hajama al-sabiy thadya ummihi
(the infant suckled his mother’s breast). Al-Hajjaam means the cupper,
hijaamah is the profession of cupping, and the word mihjam is
used to describe the vessel in which the blood is collected and the lancet
used by the cupper. (See Lisaan al-‘Arab). 

In fiqh terminology the
word hijaamah is applied by some scholars to the extraction of blood from
the nape of the neck by means of cupping after making an incision with the
lancet. Al-Zarqaani stated that cupping is not limited to the nape of the
neck, rather it may be done on any part of the body. This was also the view
of al-Khattaabi. 

In conclusion, hijaam refers to the extraction of blood from
the body by means of cupping using a suitable vessel or whatever modern
equipment serves the same purpose. 

Cupping was known since ancient times. It was known to the
Chinese, the Babylonians and the Pharaohs. Their relics and carved images
indicate that they used cupping to treat some diseases. At first they used
metal cups or bulls’ horns, from which they would remove the air by sucking
it out after placing the cup on the skin. Then they used glass cups from
which they would remove the air by burning a piece of cotton or wool inside
the cup. 

Virtues of cupping: 

Al-Bukhaari narrated in his Saheeh (5269) from Sa’eed
ibn Jubayr from Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Healing is
in three things: drinking honey, the incision of a cupper, and cauterizing
with fire, but I forbid my ummah to use cauterizing.” 

Al-Bukhaari (5263) and Muslim (2952) narrated that Anas ibn
Maalik was asked about the earnings of the cupper, and he said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was
treated with cupping by Abu Taybah. He ordered that he should be given two
saa’ of food, and he spoke with his masters so that they reduced what they
used to take from his earnings. And he said: “The best medicine with which
you treat yourselves is cupping, or it is one of the best of your
medicines.” 

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah (may Allaah be
pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “If there is anything good in the
medicines with which you treat yourselves, it is in the incision of the
cupper, or a drink of honey or cauterization with fire, but I do not like to
be cauterized.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6583; Muslim, 2205). 

Benefits of cupping: 

Cupping has real benefits in treating many diseases, past and
present. The diseases which have been treated by cupping and for which it
has been of benefit by Allaah’s Leave include the following: 

1-    
Circulatory diseases

2-    
Treating blood pressure and
infection of the heart muscle

3-    
Diseases of the chest and
trachea

4-    
Headache and pains in the eyes

5-    
Pain in the neck and stomach,
and rheumatic pain in the muscles

6-    
Some diseases of the heart and
chest, and pain in the joints 

In addition, cupping may offer a unique treatment which may
reduce pain, and it does not have any side-effects. For more information on
the benefits of cupping see Zaad al-Ma’aad by Ibn al-Qayyim, 4/52,
and al-Hijaamah: Ahkaamuha wa Fawaa’iduha by Ibraaheem al-Haazimi.  

How cupping is done: 

The mouth of the cupping vessel (nowadays they use glass
vessels) is placed on the skin at the site chosen for cupping. Then the
cupper rarefies the air inside the vessel by burning a small piece of paper
or cotton inside the vessel, so that the mouth of the vessel will cling to
the skin. Sometimes a machine is used instead of the method described above.
The vessel clings to the skin and is left for a period of three to ten
minutes. Then it is lifted off and a very small incision is made in the skin
using a clean sharp instrument such as a razor blade or the like. Then the
cup is put back in the same manner as described above, until it is filled
with the bad blood that comes out of the veins. Then it is taken off, and
may be put back once more if needed. When it is finished and the cup is
taken away, a dry dressing is placed over the site of the incision. (See
Mabaahith fi’l-Jaraahah al-Sughra wa’l-Takhdeer by Prof. Dr. Nazmi
al-Qabbaani). 

Before ending we should point out that no one should
undertake cupping except one who can do it well, because of the harm that
may result if it is done by one who is incompetent.  And Allaah knows best.