Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Cupping: Hijama

In Islamic Medicine, cupping is used for the treatment of diseases of the blood, and as a therapeutic measure. Several prophetic sayings are related in Sahih al Bukhari and in the collection of Ibn Maja, amongst others with regards to the benefits of cupping. Ibn Abbaas also narrated that the beloved Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Blessed is a servant who practices cupping. It cleanses the blood, dries out internal inflammations and brightens ones vision.” He (phuh) also said, “Cupping (Hijaama)
is one of the best medicines.”

Hadhrat Ali (ra) narrated that it was Archangel Jibraeel (as) that prescribed cupping to the beloved Messenger of Allah (pbuh). Such is the healing power of cupping that not only did Jibraeel (as) advice the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) to use it and command his Ummah to use it, but all the Angels that he (pbuh) met during his travels throughout the Heavens on the night of Meeraj also reminded him to use it and prescribe it. Cupping has deep historical roots stretching back more than 3500 years in China, Eygpt and the Middle East.

Cupping nowadays is extensively practiced in Chinese Medicine. The procedure involves heating up a glass cup shaped like a miniature fish bowl with a flame. The warm glass cup is then placed on a fleshy part of the body (normally the back) and the skin, blood vessels and muscle underneath the cup is drawn upwards into it by the vacuum created inside the cup. This leaves a characteristic round mark on the skin after the cup is removed. This mark usually fades after a couple of days.

The benefits of Cupping therapy are endless and due to its stimulating and strengthening effects and cupping has been used successfully to treat bowel conditions (IBS, constipation and diarrhoea), headaches, back pain, arthritis, period pain, injuries, asthma, cellulite, fatigue (ME), anaemia, depression and emotional problems, atrophy, sciatica, common cold and flu, skin problems, blood pressure, menstruation problems in women, weight loss, and more.

Administering cupping between the shoulder blades helps cure shoulder pain, pains in the upper arms and pains of the throat. Cupping over the two posterior neck veins helps treat tremors of the head, and other conditions of the head, for example, of the face, teeth, ears, eyes, nose and throat.

Applying cupping under the chin helps reduce face pain, toothache, and throat pain and helps to cleanse the head when applied at the proper time. Cupping on top of the foot helps against inflammation of the testes, leg ulcers and eases suppressed menses. Cupping behind the knee helps in the treatment of chronic abscesses, haemorrhoids and septic ulcers of the leg and foot. Cupping on the inner thighs is a good treatment for irritation of the back, gout and piles. Cupping can also help ease high blood pressure.

In his book ‘Al Afraad’, al Daroqni related that Abdullah ibn Omar quoted the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) as saying, “Cupping increases ones memory and wisdom, apply cupping in the name of Allah (swt), but do not apply it on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Monday is the best.”

For cupping, Hijama please contact:
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Tags: Cupping: Hijama

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