Hijama: The Prophetic Healer
Introduction
Hijama (حجامة), commonly known as cupping therapy, is a traditional healing method that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. This practice has been used for thousands of years across different civilizations and remains widely practiced today.
In Islam, hijama holds a special place because the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recommended it as a beneficial form of treatment. Because of this, hijama is often associated with Prophetic medicine (Tibb al-Nabawi) and continues to be practiced by Muslims around the world.
Today, hijama is used for various purposes including improving circulation, relieving muscle tension, and supporting general wellness.
Authentic Hadiths on Hijama
The Prophet ﷺ spoke about hijama in several authentic narrations.
قال رسول الله ﷺ:
"إِنَّ أَفْضَلَ مَا تَدَاوَيْتُمْ بِهِ الْحِجَامَةُ"
Translation:
“The best of the treatments you have is cupping (hijama).”
(Sahih al-Bukhari 5696)
*Dry Cupping*
Another narration mentions that the angels advised the Prophet ﷺ regarding hijama.
:قال رسول الله ﷺ
"مَا مَرَرْتُ بِمَلَإٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ لَيْلَةَ أُسْرِيَ بِي إِلَّا قَالُوا يَا مُحَمَّدُ مُرْ أُمَّتَكَ بِالْحِجَامَةِ"
Translation:
“I did not pass by any group of angels on the night of Isra except that they said: O Muhammad, command your nation to perform hijama.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 3477)
These narrations show the importance of hijama as a recommended form of treatment.
Historical Background of Hijama
Cupping therapy has been practiced for thousands of years. Some of the earliest evidence comes from Ancient Egypt, where medical texts such as the Ebers Papyrus (1550 BCE) describe the use of cupping for various health conditions.
The practice later spread throughout different civilizations including:
- Ancient Greece
- China
- Persia
- The Arabian Peninsula
Greek physician Hippocrates used cupping as part of his medical treatments, particularly for circulation and muscle-related conditions.
During the Islamic Golden Age, hijama became widely practiced across the Muslim world. Scholars such as Ibn Sina (Avicenna) documented the therapeutic benefits of cupping therapy in classical medical works.
Because the Prophet ﷺ recommended hijama, it became a well-known component of Prophetic medicine.
Best Days for Hijama in the Sunnah
Certain narrations mention recommended days for performing hijama.
:قال رسول الله ﷺ
"مَنْ احْتَجَمَ لِسَبْعَ عَشْرَةَ أَوْ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ أَوْ إِحْدَى وَعِشْرِينَ كَانَ شِفَاءً مِنْ كُلِّ دَاءٍ"
Translation:
“Whoever performs cupping on the 17th, 19th, or 21st (of the lunar month), it will be a cure for every disease.”
(Sunan Abu Dawood 3861)
For this reason, many practitioners prefer performing hijama on these odd days of the lunar month, although it can be done at other times when needed.
Scientific Research on Hijama
Modern studies have also explored the potential benefits of cupping therapy.
Improves Circulation
The suction created by the cups draws blood toward the treated area, which may help improve circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Muscle Relaxation
Many people use cupping to relieve muscle tension and soreness, especially in the back, shoulders, and neck.
Pain Relief
Research published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine suggests cupping therapy may help reduce chronic pain and inflammation.
Recovery Support
Athletes frequently use cupping therapy as part of their recovery routines to reduce muscle stiffness and improve mobility.
Types of Hijama
There are two main forms of cupping used today.
Dry Cupping
(Refer to the image above)
Dry cupping involves placing cups on the skin and creating suction without drawing blood.
This method is simple and widely used for:
- Muscle tension
- Circulation
- General wellness
Many people perform dry cupping at home using modern cupping kits.
Wet Cupping (Traditional Hijama)
*Wet Cupping*
Wet cupping involves making small superficial scratches on the skin after the cups are applied, allowing a small amount of blood to be drawn.
This method has been practiced for centuries and is commonly associated with traditional hijama therapy.
How Hijama is Performed
The general process typically includes the following steps:
- The skin is cleaned and sanitized.
- A cup is placed on the skin.
- Suction is created using a pump or vacuum.
- The cup is left in place for several minutes.
- For wet cupping, the practitioner may then:
- Remove the cup
- Make very small superficial scratches using a sterile blade
- Reapply the cup to draw out a small amount of blood
- The process is generally quick and straightforward.
Many people choose to perform dry cupping themselves at home, especially for areas like the shoulders or legs.
Practicing Hijama at Home
With modern cupping kits, many people choose to practice dry cupping at home.
Dry cupping can be done by:
- Placing the cups on areas such as the shoulders, back, or legs
- Creating suction using a manual pump
- Leaving the cups on for several minutes
For wet cupping, some people choose to learn the process gradually. The skin must always be clean and sanitized, and only very small superficial scratches should be made before the cup is reapplied.
Many beginners start with dry cupping first before learning more about traditional hijama methods.
Why Many Muslims Continue This Sunnah Practice
Hijama remains popular not only because of its potential health benefits, but also because it is connected to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
For many Muslims, practicing hijama is a way to combine natural wellness with following a Prophetic tradition.
Why Our Hijama Set Stands Out
For those interested in practicing cupping therapy, having a reliable and easy-to-use cupping set makes the process much simpler.
Our Hijama Cupping Set includes:
-
12 High-quality reusable cups.
- 12 Acupoint Stimulators: A small inserts that can be placed inside the cups to apply extra pressure to specific points for deeper stimulation.
- A firm massage scraper: A durable square tool often used in muscle massage and fascia release (also known as Gua Sha).
- A manual suction pump for easy use.
- 2 sizes cups that can reach different areas of the body.
- A durable box design that can be reused.
- A long tube to use for hard to reach areas like back.
This type of cupping set makes it easier to perform dry cupping at home and can also be used when learning traditional hijama techniques.
You can check out our Hijama cupping set here.