Cupping from the Hadeeth

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping…” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5371)].

Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) said, “If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping.” [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3857), Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3476)].

The Angels Recommending Cupping

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) 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, O Muhammad.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3477)].

In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) the angels said, “Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with cupping.” [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)].

In Cupping There Is A Cure

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) said, “Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, 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)].

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Indeed in cupping there is a cure.” [Saheeh Muslim (5706)].

Cupping In Its Time Is A Cure For Every Disease

Abu Hurairah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) said, “Whoever performs cupping on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic month) then it is a cure for every disease.” [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3861)].

Headaches

Salma (may Allaah be pleased with him), the servant of the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) said, “Whenever someone would complain of a headache to the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) would advise them to perform cupping.” [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3858)].

Magic

Ibn al-Qaiyum (may Allaah have mercy on him) mentions that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) cupped his head when he was afflicted with magic and that it is from the best of cures for this if done correctly. [Zaad al Ma’aad (4/125-126)].

Poison

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that a Jewish woman gave poisoned meat to the Messenger of Allaah ( Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) so he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) sent her a message saying, “what caused you to do that?” She replied, “If you really are a Prophet then Allaah will inform you of it and if you are not then I would save the people from you!” When the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) felt pain from it, he (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) performed cupping. Once he travelled while in Ihram and felt that pain and hence performed cupping. [Ahmed (1/305) the hadeeth is hasan (good chain with all the paths)].

Strengthening One’s Intelligence And Memory

Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) said, “Cupping on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from cupping on Wednesday, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform cupping on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allaah saved Ayoub from the trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night.” [Saheeh Sunan Ibn Majah (3487)].

The Best Days For Cupping

The 17th, 19th and 21st of the Islamic month which coincides with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, “Whoever wants to perform cupping then let him look for 17th, 19th and 21st…” [Saheeh Sunan Ibn Majah (3486)].

Ibn Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) said, “Cupping on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory. It improves the memory of the one memorising. So whoever is going to be cupped then on a Thursday in the name of Allaah. Keep away from being cupped on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Be cupped on a Monday or Tuesday. Do not be cupped on a Wednesday because it is the day that Ayoub was befallen with the trial. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3488)].

As for the Islamic day and night, the night enters before the day. So at sunset on Tuesday, Wednesday night comes in. Cupping is best performed during the day time between sunrise and sunset. If one is not able to be cupped on 17th, 19th or 21st (coinciding with Monday, Tuesday or Thursday) then any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday of the month.

Cupping While fasting Or In The State Of Ihram

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) was cupped on his head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5701)].

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) was cupped while he was fasting. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5694)].

Areas of Cupping

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) was treated with cupping three times on the two veins at the side of the neck and the base of the neck. [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3860), Ibn Maajah (3483)].

Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) was cupped on his head. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5699)].

Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam ) used to cup his head and would call it (the place at the top of the head) “Umm Mugheeth.” [Saheehah (753), Saheeh al-Jaami’ (4804)].

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was treated with cupping on his hip for a pain in that area. [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (3863)].

Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) was treated with cupping when he was in Ihram, on the top of his foot, for a pain in that area. [Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawud (1836)].

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, “Cupping under the chin is beneficial for pain in the teeth, face and throat, if it is done in its proper time. It purifies the head and the jaws.

Cupping on the top of the foot is a substitution for the puncturing of the Saphena, which is a large vein in the heel. It is beneficial for treating ulcers that occur on the thighs and calves, the interruption of menses and skin irritation on the testicles.

Cupping at the bottom of the chest is beneficial for the treatment of sores, scabies and mange on the thighs. It helps against gout, hemorrhoids, elephantiasis and itchiness on the back.” [Zaad al-Ma’aad, 4/58].

Cupping For Women

Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) asked permission from the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) to do cupping. So the Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) ordered Abu Teeba (may Allaah be pleased with him) to cup her. Jaabir ibn Abdullah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, ” I think he(Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said that Abu Teeba (may Allaah be pleased with him) is her brother through breastfeeding or a young boy who didn’t reach puberty”. [Saheeh Muslim (5708), Abu Dawud (4102), Saheeh ibn Maajah (3480)].