Points Regarding Hijaamah (Cupping)
Shaykh ul-Islaam Ibn Taymeeyah (d.728) -Rahimullaah- after speaking about the Neeyah (intention) and purpose, says that they are from the actions of the heart and it is a must to follow the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- with regard to intention and purpose:
‘From this issue is that when the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- had Hijaama performed upon him and ordered others to have Hijaama performed upon them, he said in an authentic hadeeth: ‘Cure/treatment for my Ummah is in the incision made by the one who performs Hijaama , by drinking honey or cauterization but I do not like to be cauterized.’
It was well-known that the purpose of Hijaama was to extract blood which is harmful to the body.
Hijaama is mentioned because in hot countries blood rises to the surface of the body and so Hijaama removes that blood. This is why Hijaama is performed in the Hijaaz (the western provinces of Saudi Arabia) and in other similar hot countries because the intended aim of extracting blood is achieved with the Hijaama.
From Abu Huraira who said: The Messenger of Allaah said: ‘Whoever has Hijaama on the 17th, 19th and 21st then it is a cure for every illness.’ [Collected by Abu Daawood and Bayhaaqi and Tabraani see: Silsilah Saheehah No. 908 and Silsilah Daeefah’ No.1863 -1864]
