Reviving the Prophetic Sunnah of Hijamah / Hijama (Cupping) in the UK

[Saleel]

I am a UK trained medical doctor (currently undertaking General Practice training) and hold full registration with the GMC. I have an interest in Prophetic and complementary medicine, and along with another medical doctor we now offer Hijamah (also called Hijama or Cupping) in the UK.

We are trained in Hijamah and Medical Acupuncture. The former, known to most people as Cupping, is a much-forgotten and neglected Sunnah of RasulAllah . It involves placing cups on special parts of the body (some of which are special 'Sunnah Points') and creating scratches on the surface of the skin. By then creating a vaccum on the skin, blood is drawn out.

Some of the Ahadith where Hijamah is mentioned are stated below. There are around 80 Ahadith on Hijamah alone, some from collections which have not yet been translated.

RasulAllah said:

"Whoever performs cupping (hijamah) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease." [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3861)].

"I did not pass by any group on the night of Al Isra (night ascension), except that they said to me, 'Oh Muhammad, tell your Ummah to do Hijamah.'" Ibn Majah, 3477

It is important to have Hijamah performed by someone who is qualified to do it. Unfortunately many Hijamah practioners are not well-trained and often perform Hijamah incorrectly. Above all, it needs to be done in a clean environment with the practioner wearing gloves and ensuring everything is kept as sterile as possible. Hijamah is very safe, but a patient's medical and medication history is important to consider, which is often neglected by many practioners.

Hijamah is not just recommended to treat particular ailments, but there is reward if performed with the niyyah (intention) of reviving a Sunnah. In fact, many Muslims have Hijamah performed regularly for this very reason. RasulAllah said "Whosoever has revived one of my sunnah, has in fact loved me. And the one who has loved me, will be with me in Paradise."

by having Hijamah performed, and telling others, it can be changed from a forgotten Sunnah in to a commonly practiced one. Not only does this have physical benefits, but strengthens one's love for the Sunnah of RasulAllah .

Our aim is to help revive this Sunnah, and see it alive in the lives of many Muslims in the coming years. Please contact us to get more information, or advice about treating particular conditions or just to have Hijamah performed to revive a Sunnah in your own life.

We currently do Hijamah in the Midlands, and on certain days can do Hijamah in London and Luton also. Others from neighbouring areas are also most welcome to contact us for more information, or have Hijamah if they can come to the above areas .

You can contact us by either sending me a private message on this site, or by going to hijamahuk.com and emailing from there.

Finally, it is important to always keep in mind that Shifa is from Allah Ta'ala alone. Please make dua that this important Sunnah is revived in our Ummat.



Saleel.
Training in Hijamah / Hijama via CMA approved College
BMAS approved Medical Acupuncture training

[mustajab]

Asalamualikum

I hope you are doing well and fine.

Can you give me information on how I can preform hijmah on my self, by myself, or with the help of someone that isn't acquainted with the practice of hijmah. I live in Houston, Tx, and don't of anyone that can do, but i'm egar in reving this sunnah.

Mustajab

[Saleel]

Asalamualikum

I hope you are doing well and fine.

Can you give me information on how I can preform hijmah on my self, by myself, or with the help of someone that isn't acquainted with the practice of hijmah. I live in Houston, Tx, and don't of anyone that can do, but i'm egar in reving this sunnah.

Mustajab

Hijamah whereby cuts are made in the skin and blood is extracted should really only be performed by someome trained in the skill. This is because you are creating a break in the skin, which is a source of infection if not done correctly. The procedure needs to be done by someone who is experienced in knowing what sort of superficial cuts are required, how much blood is to be extracted, etc.

However, dry cupping, or massage cupping can be performed either by yourself or a friend/family member.

You can buy a Cupping set which normally includes a 'gun' which creates suction and a set of plastic cups. Sometimes these cups also contain magnets. I do not recommend that you use fire to create a vaccum as this can be dangerous.

In dry cupping, you place the cups on the skin (usually the back, but you can also use small cups on arthritic joints - knees - for example). You attach the gun to the cups, create a small suction (I would recommend you start with very slight suction, as even grown men can faint with even small amounts of suction!) and leave them on for a few minutes (~5 - 10mins, but take them off straight away if you feel light headed). After this, you can take them off and repeat elsewhere as required. The whole procedure can be repeated daily if required to re-vitalise yourself.

In massage cupping, you oil the area with a lubricant beforehand (e.g. olive oil or blackseed oil) and then again place a large cup with very low suction on the skin (usually back). Then the cups are moved gently up and down, creating a massaging effect.

Most cupping sets come with a tubing, so while the cups are on your back, you can use the gun by yourself from the front. However, it is better to get the assistance of a second person - if you faint, at least someome will be there to watch out!

When someone comes for an appointment, I teach them - practically - the above, and also sell cupping sets.

I hope that answers your question .

[cotton]

Hijamah whereby cuts are made in the skin and blood is extracted should really only be performed by someome trained in the skill. This is because you are creating a break in the skin, which is a source of infection if not done correctly. The procedure needs to be done by someone who is experienced in knowing what sort of superficial cuts are required, how much blood is to be extracted, etc.

However, dry cupping, or massage cupping can be performed either by yourself or a friend/family member.

You can buy a Cupping set which normally includes a 'gun' which creates suction and a set of plastic cups. Sometimes these cups also contain magnets. I do not recommend that you use fire to create a vaccum as this can be dangerous.

In dry cupping, you place the cups on the skin (usually the back, but you can also use small cups on arthritic joints - knees - for example). You attach the gun to the cups, create a small suction (I would recommend you start with very slight suction, as even grown men can faint with even small amounts of suction!) and leave them on for a few minutes (~5 - 10mins, but take them off straight away if you feel light headed). After this, you can take them off and repeat elsewhere as required. The whole procedure can be repeated daily if required to re-vitalise yourself.

In massage cupping, you oil the area with a lubricant beforehand (e.g. olive oil or blackseed oil) and then again place a large cup with very low suction on the skin (usually back). Then the cups are moved gently up and down, creating a massaging effect.

Most cupping sets come with a tubing, so while the cups are on your back, you can use the gun by yourself from the front. However, it is better to get the assistance of a second person - if you faint, at least someome will be there to watch out!

When someone comes for an appointment, I teach them - practically - the above, and also sell cupping sets.

I hope that answers your question .

What is the benifit of dry cupping? and is it a Sunnah also?

[Saleel]

What is the benifit of dry cupping? and is it a Sunnah also?

Dry cupping itself does not fulfil the full Sunnah, but it does have a beneficial effect none-the-less. It is a relatively safe option that people can do themselves.

Similarly, when I was taught needle Acupuncture, we were advised to tell patients that they could use Acupressure by themselves at home over particular known Acupuncture points.

[Idrees]

Salaam

saleel long time no speak, you know anything about trigger point therapy?

i might send you an email later, regarding golfers elbow

Nice to hear your offering this

Maashallah

Wassalam

p.s. we should meet up, im near leicester now.. no longer in bradford.. currently live in daventry, northants

[Ashraf Dockrat]

The Dar al-Salam Islamic Research Centre (Gauteng South Africa) will Insha Allah be offering a course on cupping for the ulama and others in mid January 2011, Insha Allah

[The_strangers_friend]

The Dar al-Salam Islamic Research Centre (Gauteng South Africa) will Insha Allah be offering a course on cupping for the ulama and others in mid January 2011, Insha Allah

Are there any updates regarding this course, date and location primarily.
Is there a website where one might check?

[RazinaBargit]

I know a few people who have had cupping done. My father had it done for his back pain and my brother for skin irritation. Since having it done, my father hasn't felt any improvement, but my brother is now able to eat food which he wasn't allowed to before. i think it all depends on how many treatments you have and after care too. And most importantly whether your body is susceptible to treatments, as with any medicine.

I do think its worth a try, no pain no gain

[HumbleServantofAllah]

I do think its worth a try, no pain no gain

I definitely think that it is worth a try. Just doing it for the sake of fulfilling a Sunnah of the Beloved Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam should be enough of a reason for one to want to do it.