Fasting and Hijama
Article from Hijama Nation
Assalaam alaikum,
There has been much debate over getting Hijama done during fasting. Let’s discuss this today, insha Allah!
Bukhari 5694: Ibn Abbas narrated “The Messenger of Allah swt was cupped while was fasting.
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].
Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked: “Did you dislike cupping for the fasting person?” He said, “No except for the reason of one becoming weak.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree #1940].
Then there is the following Hadith which does not counteract the ones above.
“The Cupper and the one being cupped have broken their fast.” [Saheeh see Irwaa al-Ghaleel (931)]. This is because the Hadeeth is abrogated as Sheikh al-Albaani and ibn Hazm (May Allah have mercy upon them) showed by the following Hadeeth:
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudhree (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, “The Messenger (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) validated cupping for the fasting person.” [Saheeh see Irwaa al-Ghaleel (4/74).
It appears that Hijama is allowed but disliked as Anas ibn Maalik (may Allaah be pleased with him) mentioned because the fasting person becomes weak if they perform Hijama and Allah SWT knows best. But if the person medically needs to be cupped, they should break their fast and make up for it later, inshallah.
We also have to consider if these ahadith refer to Obligatory fasting during Ramadhan or voluntary fasting at any other time of the Islamic year:
Malik’s Muwatta by Imam Malik, translation by A’isha `Abdarahman at-Tarjumana and Ya`qub Johnson, Volume: Fasting
30. Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullah ibn Umar used to be cupped while he was fasting. Nafi said, “He later stopped doing that, and would not be cupped when he was fasting until he had broken the fast.”
31. Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Sad ibn Abi Waqqas and Abdullah ibn Umar used to be cupped while they were fasting.
32. Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa that his father used to be cupped while he was fasting and he would not then break his fast. Hisham added, “I only ever saw him being cupped when he was fasting.”
Malik said, “Cupping is only disapproved of for some one who is fasting out of fear that he will become weak and if it were not for that, it would not be disapproved of. I do not think that a man who is cupped in Ramadan and does not break his fast, owes anything, and I do not say that he has to make up for the day on which he was cupped, because cupping is only disapproved of for someone fasting if his fast is endangered. I do not think that someone who is cupped, and is then well enough to keep the fast until evening, owes anything, nor does he have to make up for that day.”‘.
For more on this topic you can see this article: >>>Read Here!
So what is Hijama Nation Say About Hijama And Fasting?
One Imam has explained to us that at the time of the Prophet (PBUH), they used to use animal horns to do the Hijama and used to suck on the horn to create the suction. There was a risk of blood going into one’s mouth during cupping, that is why it could have been forbidden to do Hijama during fasting. But since we use the vacuums pumps to create the suction in modern times, we do not face that problem. So it should not break the fast of Cupping therapist.
Also it is true that Hijama would make a fasting person weak, especially if they bleed a lot but not everyone bleeds alot and in case their blood sugar or blood pressure may reduce. So it is better not to perform Hijama on someone who is fasting. Fasting is natural detox anyway, so there is no need for a healthy person to get Hijama performed with the intention of fulfilling the Sunnah.
The only reason Hijama should be performed in Ramadhan is if someone has an injury, illness or chronic pain.
In the scenario the person being cupped is fasting, you can perform Hijama on them just before iftar (breaking of the fast at sunset), so they can break the fast after Hijama.Or just after Iftar, where they can break the fast with one date or water and then you can perform Hijama on them.
So in conclusion, it is better not to perform Hijama on someone who is fasting unless they really need Hijama due to injury, illness or chronic pain. You can refer to our Article on on our blog for more on getting Hijama for these situations. Otherwise, if the Practitioner is able to, they can perform Hijama just before iftar time and then break their fast.
Or break their fast with water or a date, and then do the Hijama. Then they can pray, have the eat their Iftar meal, rest and then pray Esha Salah. And Allah (The Exalted) knows best.
After care for a Client is very important, we ensure our Trained Hijama Practioners fully explain to their Clients after treatment about self care and possible changes after treatment
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