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

 

A brief introduction to Hijama Therapy

Hijama Therapy is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a Holistic system of preventative medicine that incorporates diet, exercise and medicine in order to promote and maintain a healthy, balanced mind and body. The underpinning aim is that of maintaining balance within the body’s systems in order to prevent ill health from occurring. This is done by bringing about a balanced flow of the body's energy, known as Chi, which flows around the body in pathways known as Meridians. It is believed that all illness that manifests in the body is the result of an imbalance of this energy. By stimulating specific points along these Meridian pathways it is possible to influence the flow of Chi. The effects of this include, dispersing stagnant accumulations of Chi and strengthening, or tonifying, areas of weak Chi, thereby restoring, and maintaining the body's natural state.

The Prophet (saw) enhanced this practice by prescribing specific times at which to perform Hijama Therapy in order to derive the most benefit and by stipulating the preferred areas of the body to perform Hijama to facilitate and promote good health and wellbeing as a preventative measure against the onset of ill health.

 

Benefits of Hijama Therapy

Receiving between two and four Hijama Therapy treatments per year can help to provide an effective approach to preventing illness by promoting the natural balance of the body’s systems by facilitating the production of hormones, improving circulation, reducing the accumulation of stagnated blood and lymph and encouraging the body’s own release of toxins.

Hijama Therapy is also effective in treating many conditions including digestive problems, joint conditions, muscle pain, asthma, sciatica, fever, skin conditions, low fertility, fatigue and injuries.

 

When should one perform Hijama Therapy?

It is recommended that Hijama be practised on the ‘odd’ days of the Lunar Calendar. Further to this, the specifically prescribed days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The optimum Sunnah days to perform Hijama Therapy are the 17th, 19th and 21st days of the Lunar Calendar providing these days coincide with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. The Prophet (saw) advised against practicing Hijama on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and very strongly advised against practicing Hijama on Wednesdays.

Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger (saw) said, "Hijama on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a Blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So use Hijama with the Blessing of Allah on Thursday. Keep away from Hijama on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform hijama on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allah (swt) saved Ayub from the trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by having Hijama) on Wednesday or Wednesday night." [Sahih Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)

 

How is Hijama Performed?

Firstly we apply a moderate amount of oil to the relevant area. We use Black Seed oil or Olive oil. This helps to prepare the skin thereby increasing comfort once the cup is applied, it improves the seal between the mouth of the cup and the skin and in the case of Massage Hijama it also provides the necessary lubrication to allow the cup to move smoothly and freely over the skin. We begin every treatment by applying a cup - or several cups - to the appropriate points using a moderate suction. We use hand-held, manual pumps for this purpose as we believe it is by far the most accurate method of ensuring the correct pressure within the cup. These cups will remain in place for several minutes. In the case of Dry Hijama the cups would then be removed and replaced, adjusting the suction accordingly for the main treatment. They would then remain in place for between 5 and 20 minutes accordingly. In the case of Massage Hijama, one or more cups would be used to manipulate the skin and underlying tissues. A Sunnah Hijama Treatment also involves the release of stagnant subcutaneous blood from the point(s) being treated. This is done by making very fine scratches on the skin's surface thereby allowing a small amount of blood to come through the skin. Once these scratches have been made the cups are then replaced and left in place for up to 20 minutes depending on the aim and nature of the treatment. The cups are finally removed and the area cleaned. Your treatment is complete.

 

Al-Hijama in Brief

What is Al-Hijama?

Al-Hijama (cupping) is a method of treatment in which a cup is put on various points of the body and reflex zones usually on the back, abdomen or legs to cause local congestion through a negative pressure created by a special pump. The negative pressure can be also created by introducing heat in the form of an ignited material. Stimulating these zones by drawing blood flow to them in turn stimulates the tissue and internal organs to which the zones are believed to correspond. Also, the cups create minor bruising; this triggers the immune system. Then the cup is removed and a small superficial incisions using a sterile surgical blade are made. The cups are re-placed and a negative pressure (vacuum) is created again. The created negative pressure pulls out the diseased blood out of the body that in turn poured into the cups and then the diseased blood is disposed.

 

History of Al-Hijama (cupping)

Ancient Egyptians had used therapeutic cupping as drawn on the walls of tombs and temples. Ancient Egyptians were the first to use cupping therapy systematically. Ebers papyrus, thought to be the oldest medical textbook approximately 1550 B.C., in Egypt, describes bleeding by cupping in order to remove the foreign matter from the body.

 

Types of Al-Hijama

It is the process in which a cup is placed on specific areas of the body and negative pressure (vacuum) in order to collect the blood in that area without incisions.

 

Wet cupping (Al-Hijama)

It is the process in which a cup is placed on specific areas of the body and negative pressure (vacuum) in order to collect the blood in that area with incisions to remove 'harmful' blood that lies just underneath the surface of the skin. Wet cupping (Al-Hijama) must be performed by a cupping (Al-Hijama) therapist.

 

Al-Hijama in Sharia

The great prophet of Islam Muhamad (PBUH) had used Al-Hijama on his honourable head for migraine and on his honourable hip joint and back of the neck, lateral sides of the neck and between shoulders. It is mentioned in that recorded by Muhammad al-Bukhari (5263) and Muslim (2952), saying "The Al-Hijama is the best of your remedies". Jaabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Indeed in cupping (Al-Hijama) there is a cure." [Saheeh Muslim (5706)]. Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, "Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper (Al-Hijama), in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire)." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5681), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3491)] Also the angels mentioned to the Prophet that he recommend Al-Hijama to his ummah (nation). Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: Upon you is cupping (Al-Hijama), O Muhammad.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Majah]. In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas'ud ''the angels said, "Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with Al-Hijama (cupping) ." [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)]

 

Some of the potential benefits of Al-Hijama

• It removes dead blood cells from the cardiovascular system, purifies blood and increase red and white blood cells.
• It clears veins, arteries and capillaries.
• It clears blockages or stagnated circulation.
• It promotes smooth circulation of blood: decrease in blood carbon dioxide level and increase in blood oxygen level and allow blood to circulate more actively.
• It strengths immune system: Blood circulate more smoothly thus old waste products get disposed more effectively, immune system is strengthened and resistance against disease enhances.
• It promotes cell activities: cleansed blood circulates throughout the body, allowing cells to become more active and hormone secretions to increase. This retards aging process in many parts of the body.
• It allows the release of local toxins.
• It stimulates the lymphatic system.
• It balances vital energy.

 

Al-Hijama - a Cure

Al-Hijama is very beneficial in improving the general heath and wellbeing; it is also a cure for a wide range of disease and conditions, and potential benefits include:

• Migraine headaches.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis.
• Pain in the neck and back and stiff or swollen joints.
• Stomach problems and stomach ulcers.
• High blood pressure.
• Psychological disorders.
• Insomnia.
• Some cases of paralysis.
• Back pain and joint pain.
• Gout.
• Constipation, digestive problems and loss of appetite.
• Lack of ovulation for women, menstrual problems, endometriosis, many other diseases and other women health problems.
• Involuntary urination.
• Sciatic nerve pain.
• Diabetes.
• Eczema.

many many more.....