“Indeed, the best of remedies you have is cupping.”
— Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5371
Hijama isn’t just a trendy wellness treatment or an ancient detox method. It’s a practice deeply rooted in Islamic tradition, recommended and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself.
Today, as cupping makes a global comeback in both clinical and holistic circles, more Muslims are reconnecting with it—not just as therapy, but as Sunnah.
But what exactly did the Prophet ﷺ say about Hijama? What does Islamic history teach us about it? And is it a religious act or just cultural heritage? Let’s unpack the spiritual, historical, and physical depth of this powerful practice.
What Is Hijama in Islam?
Hijama—also known as wet cupping—is the act of drawing out small amounts of blood from the body using suction and minor skin incisions. While many cultures have practiced forms of cupping therapy for millennia, what makes Hijama unique is its spiritual endorsement in Islam.
In Islamic tradition, Hijama is more than just a remedy. It’s viewed as both a means of physical purification and spiritual obedience.
At Soul Detox®, we see firsthand how clients pursue Hijama not only for chronic pain or fatigue, but because they want to revive a Sunnah that once defined the Muslim way of life.
Prophetic Hadiths on Cupping Therapy
When we talk about the importance of Hijama in Islam, we’re not drawing from vague anecdotes. The Hadith collections—Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Majah, Ahmad, Abu Dawood, and others—preserve clear narrations about the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advocating for, practicing, and recommending Hijama.
Most Referenced Hadith
The most widely cited Hadith comes from Sahih al-Bukhari:
“The best treatment you can use is cupping.”
(Bukhari 5371)
This isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a powerful endorsement.
Another Hadith from Sahih Muslim says:
“If there is any good in your medical treatments, it is in the blade of the cupper.”
(Muslim 2205)
He also underwent Hijama himself—on his head, between his shoulders, and other points—especially when afflicted by illness or after consuming something harmful (Abu Dawood 3850).
Hijama was not just tolerated by the Prophet ﷺ. It was practiced, praised, and passed on.
Healing and Prevention
Islam doesn’t separate the physical from the spiritual. Hijama, in its essence, aligns with this philosophy. It is used both as treatment for specific ailments and as a preventative measure to maintain health.
Hadiths mention Hijama for:
- Headaches and migraines
- Poison or ingestion of harmful substances
- General purification and rejuvenation
- Energy restoration
Modern clients often report similar results—from pain relief to mental clarity—proving that Prophetic wisdom remains timeless.
Hijama in Islamic History
Hijama didn’t stop with the Prophet ﷺ. It was an integral part of early Islamic healthcare, practiced and encouraged by the Sahaba (companions) and generations of Muslim scholars and physicians.
Use by Sahaba & Early Muslims
The companions of the Prophet ﷺ—like Ibn Abbas and Abu Huraira—frequently engaged in Hijama. It was routine. Just like fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or using a miswak.
Ibn Umar narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Cupping on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory.”
(Ibn Majah 3487)
This gives us insight into how deeply Hijama was woven into daily life—not just as healing, but as enhancement.
Classical Islamic Medicine on Cupping
The great Muslim scholar and physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna) wrote extensively on the benefits of cupping in The Canon of Medicine. His methods combined Prophetic tradition with observational science, making Hijama central to his medical practice.
Cupping was also used widely in the Abbasid era’s hospitals and healing centers—an early Islamic version of integrative health clinics.
Is Hijama a Sunnah or Just a Cultural Practice?
Let’s be clear: Hijama is Sunnah—not just culture.
Many Muslims mistakenly view Hijama as an ethnic or folk practice. But in reality, it’s rooted in Prophetic tradition, supported by Hadith, and reinforced by the habits of the righteous predecessors.
Here’s the key distinction: Cultural practices evolve with time and trends. Sunnah is timeless. While Hijama can be culturally popular, it remains spiritually sanctioned.
If you’re a Muslim practitioner, or someone considering learning Hijama as a profession, this should matter to you. You’re reviving a Sunnah and protecting its practice through certified training.
Want to go deeper into how to get certified?
Read our full guide: How to Get a Hijama Certificate in NYC
Spiritual Rewards of Practicing Hijama
Practicing Hijama isn’t just halal—it’s rewarded.
Every drop of harm removed from the body is a form of service. Every client helped is a step toward reviving a forgotten Sunnah. And every effort to study, perfect, and perform Hijama with care is rewarded by Allah.
If you’re doing Hijama for the right reasons—healing others, earning lawful income, and honoring a Prophetic tradition—you are participating in a form of worship.
And if you’re offering this professionally, you’re fulfilling a communal obligation (fard kifayah). Not everyone will do it, but when a few do it well, the whole Ummah benefits.
Ready to Practice Hijama the Right Way?
At Soul Detox®, we teach cupping the way it’s meant to be practiced: with integrity, intention, and excellence.
If you’re in the NYC area, our Hijama Masterclass Certificate Program offers hands-on training grounded in both modern standards and Sunnah principles. You’ll not only learn how to perform Hijama safely—you’ll understand why it matters.
Want to experience Hijama before becoming a practitioner? Try our: