The 10 Most Common Questions about Hijama

1 Question 1: Is Hijama Safe? Is it clean and sterile?

When done correctly, yes, hijama is absolutely safe.  
Whether it is clean and sterile is dependent upon the quality standards enforced at the
treatment facility. Some practitioners have a very informal practice in which safety is
compromised or not based on any industry standards.  Other facilities are informed of
the risks, and out of concern and care for their patients these practitioners give due
diligence in areas of cleanliness, safety, sterility and quality standards.
We strive our utmost to provide a clean, safe and absolutely sterile environment for
your hijama treatment.  We use cup covers to ensure blood is caught and disposed of
adequately, and we use fresh blades, gloves, absorbent pads and other tools to ensure
you have the highest quality hijama experience. We also use a 2-stage anti-bacterial and
anti-viral cleaning process on all tools and equipment that can come in contact with
patients.


2 Question 2: What should I look for when selecting a Hijama Therapist? 

First you should look for hands-on internship training from qualified 
professionals.  Overseas, hijama is regulated and requires proper medical 
schooling.  However unfortunately in North America hijama is not accredited as a 
distinct practice from Cupping.  So anyone can watch youtube or a DVD and learn 
the technique. We aren’t saying that you shouldn’t learn hijama.  What we are 
saying is that hijama is a divine medicine and should be treated with a haqq.  A 
person should not buy Cupping equipment off eBay and start experimenting on 
themselves or their younger siblings! (as fun as that may sound).  
The second thing you should look for is knowledge of the risks. This means the 
practitioners should know exactly what could go wrong, and have experience in 
handling these situations.  For example (and outhubillah that this would happen), 
but what if during a hijama treatment, the practitioner does not recite the correct 
verses of ruqiyah, and a jinn decides to exit the body of the patient?  This may 
sound like an extreme example, but it is absolutely possible and there are specific 
preventative and counter-measures that must be in place.  
Thirdly is sterility and professionalism of the facility.  There must be equipment, 
tooling, and safety mechanisms in place to ensure that any bloodborne 
pathogens are killed. Outhubillah-may Allah protect us.  You also want to be 
psychologically at ease during your treatment.  This means you should not be 
sitting on the floor, or a random chair in someone’s basement, garage or living 
room. This is not the nobility by which hijama should be practiced. Rather, you 
should be in a comfortable and serene environment, preferably where the 
remembrance of Allah happens often.  
Lastly, we would encourage you to find a practitioner who is articulate and able 
to explain and educate you about resources when it comes to questions about 
your health and well being. We live in the information era and your therapist 
should also take the role of facilitating lifestyle improvements in you. 



3 Question 3: I'm healthy, can I still do Hijama just for the sake of it? 

Absolutely!   
Hijama is a therapy that heals but it can also prevent many major illnesses from forming, 
before they occur.  It does this by providing an overall detox and cleanse of the body. 
Think about it: 
For your entire life you have been eating processed foods with pesticides, hormones, 
antibiotics. 
For your entire life you have been covering (cleaning) your body with synthetic chemical 
based soaps and shampoos  
These habits have inevitably had an effect on your body.  You want to detox your 
organs, and hijama can assist with that.  
Treatments are available to detox your lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, gall bladder, bowel 
as well as provide support for the adrenals, blood circulation and other major body 
systems.  
To make things even better, when you visit our clinic we spend a lot of time educating 
you about phasing in a healthier lifestyle.  We all want to be healthier and have 
healthier families, but it’s not always as easy as it sounds



4 Question 4: Does it hurt?  What are the side effects? 

When done as dry hijama (no cutting of the skin) or wet hijama (barely a few mm deep, 
like a papercut), in both forms a patient can experience slight levels of discomfort.  As a 
patient you are informed in your initial visit in how to indicate to your therapist when 
the pain threshold becomes uncomfortable.  Under no circumstance will we proceed 
and will only continue at a threshold you are comfortable with. 
The most common side effect of cupping is the discoloration that occurs in the region a 
pressurized cup is placed on the skin.  It is important to note this is not a bruise! Bruises 
hurt and these discolorations carry no pain.  These marks are cleansed by the body’s 
lymph system so the duration is dependent on the efficiency of the lymph system.  
Typically a fit person who hydrates well, will clear up in 5-7 days.  When a person is 
under-hydrated or is not at optimal lymph flushing the discoloration could last 10-14 
days.  
We are absolutely careful not to cup in areas where the discolorations are visible, such 
as the face. If we need to, we are trained in ways to minimize discoloration.  
Another common side effect is a deep sense of calm and relaxation.  For most people 
this a good thing ☺. However in some cases the body is signaling the person to rest, as if 
it is recovering from a cold.  When you are sick, the body sends you clear symptoms to 
stay home and take care of yourself.  Hijama could send you the same signal via 
reducing your energy for a few days while it repairs and cleanses the treated areas.  
A last side effect to mention may be during the hijama treatment itself, and a person 
could feel light-headed, kind of like when your blood sugar drops. This could happen for 
any reason but usually occurs when the person is insufficiently hydrated or hasn’t eaten 
well that day.  care and best 
practices. A person should avoid strenuous activity, and stick to good food choices and 
plenty of water


5 Question 5: Are you licensed? How long have you been in practice?  

Where did you learn this?  
Allah (swt) has created each of us with a purpose and has created work for each of to 
complete on this planet.  Out of His infinite Mercy Ar-Rahman also provides ways for 
those whom he loves to do good in this world.  
Although this was not a path of our choosing, we are here inevitably and have devoted a 
portion of our time and risq towards helping others and educating the ummah about 
hijamah. It is something we needed in our lives, and we found no other quality 
experience so we decided we would be that experience.  



6 Question 6: Can you write Insurance Receipts?  

Unfortunately at this time hijama is not accredited or acknowledge by any major 
Canadian health boards as a distinct medical practice on its own. The only accreditation 
for hijama would be under Cupping performed by a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), 
Acupuncturists, or RMT (Registered Massage Therapists).   
Hijama however is not cupping.  It is a distinct practice from cupping.   
Hijama is from our sunnah and was taught to us by our beloved Prophet Muhammed 
(صــل عليـــه و ســـلم).  Thus it has a divine element to it.   
It is also distinct from other forms of cupping in that the Islamic view uniquely prefers 
some dates over others. For example the odd days of the waning phase during the lunar 
cycle, or to avoid Wednesdays.  Science has yet to catch up, but we know this are truly 
the best days because it was taught to us by Rasul Allah (صــل عليـــه و ســـلم).  



7 Question 7: Can you explain scientifically how hijama works?  

The human body is absolutely amazing.  Think about the eyes- the human camera.  It is 
able to capture light, transfer information about shapes and colors and vectors to the 
brain where it is interpreted, measured against past experiences, names are applied to 
objects and sense is made of a scene- and all of this happens in real time!  
Allah (swt) as Al-Bari and created our being in the best of designs, and is the most 
merciful Lord for all of the gifts he has given us.  
There is a wonderful dua’ taught to us by Rasul Allah (صــل عليـــه و ســـلم) to reflect this fact:  
“Allahuma hasanta khalqi fa hassan khuluqi.”   
(Oh Allah you have created my outside in beauty, so beautify my inside i.e. my manners).  
Hijama works on many different layers of the human body.  If you were to take a cross 
section of the body you would find the following layers:  
Epidermis (Skin)  
Subcutaneous Fat  
Fascia  
Muscle  
Tendons and Ligaments 
Organs 
Nerves 
Veins and Arteries 
Lymph Pathways 
Endocrine Pathways 
Bones 
Bone Marrow

Amazingly, hijama and cupping is the deepest penetrating therapy that exists.  Think 
about when you are sitting in a car and someone closes the window- sometimes your 
ear pops.  You feel the differences in pressure.  Why then would a pressurized cup not 
affect all the way into the bone marrow of a person?   
So what is the scientific proof?  There are studies.  If you have access to EBSCOhost, or 
know a friend in the medical community who does, there are studies available.   
But it’s not important that some university or organization decided to grant money for a 
study with a control group etc.  We all know about the limitations of such studies.  
What IS important is that hijama is from the sunnah and that hijama WORKS


8 Question 7: What illnesses does Hijama Cure? Does it cure a, b, c…? 

    Anas ibn Maalik reported that the Messenger said, “Indeed the best of remedies you 
have is cupping (hijama)…” [Bukhari] 
For your reference we have provided a summarized list of some of the conditions hijama 
can treat, as well as some of the styles of cupping we are trained in.   
However it is important to mention that no ‘list’ of illnesses treatable by hijama is 
complete so what’s important is to understand the underlying mechanism behind 
hijamah.  
Hijama will help your illness by doing the following: 
It will immediately loosen or completely remove pathogens, toxins and fluids which 
were blocking the efficient passage of any or all of blood-flow, nerve function, 
hormones, lymph, energy or magnetic forces.  
The benefit of this is to restore the body to its optimal function, and enable it to use 
its own resources for healing.  
Some examples of the results: 
Hijama opens energy pathways in the body (meridians), which leads to relief of tension 
and stress, and boosted immunity
Hijama frees lactic acid which has accumulated in muscles i.e. trigger points, allowing 
pain relief and reduced inflammation.  
Hijama stimulates blood flow and signals white blood cells to focus on an area of chronic 
pain, allowing pain relief and detoxification. 
Hijama can stimulate function of a vital organ such as the liver or kidneys, which will 
restore the body to balance and lead to clarity, freshness, efficiency, productivity and an 
improved mood and outlook on life.  
As practitioners we see the results time and time again…



9 Question 8: What are some ahadith about Hijama?   

Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger صــل عليـــه و ســـلم was cupped on his 
head for a unilateral headache while he was in Ihraam. [Bukhari] 
    Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger صــل عليـــه و ســـلم said, “If there was 
something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is cupping (hijama).” 
    [Sunan Abi Dawud, Sunan Ibn Majah] 
Abdullah ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet صــل عليـــه و ســـلم 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 (hijama), O Muhammad.” [Saheeh Sunan ibn Majah]
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What is cupping (hijama)?

Cupping (hijama) is the best remedy recommended and used by the Messenger r. The Messenger said, “Indeed the best of remedies you have is cupping (hijama)…” [Saheeh Ul-Bukhaari (5371)].

He also said that on the night of Israa (Meraj: his ascension to the heavens) he did not pass by an angel except that it said to him, “Oh Muhammad, order your Ummah (nation) with cupping (hijama).” [Saheeh Sunan Tirmidhee (3479)].

This shows the importance and greatness of this Sunnah.

‘Hijama’ in Arabic is derived from ‘Hajm’ which means ‘sucking’. Cupping (hijama) is the process of applying cups to various points on the body by removing the air inside the cups to form a vacuum.

Benefits of Al-Hijamah

Al-Hijamah has stimulating and strengthening effects so it successfully treats the following conditions:

• Constipation and Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Back pain
• Arthritis
• Period pain
• Injuries
• Asthma
• Cellulite
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Depression
• Emotional problems
• Atrophy
• Sciatica
• Common cold and flu
• Skin problems
• Weight loss and much more.

Even though Al-Hijamah is a very simple procedure, it has dramatic effects. Our health and well-being are tied up with the immune system and are totally dependent on the flow of blood and Qi (energy) and body fluids like hormones and lymphatic fluid. Traditional medicine tells us that all pain is due to stagnation of these symptoms. The cups used in Al-Hijamah have a wonderful pulling power and this is a dramatic technique in reducing pain and enhancing the feeling of well-being.

Importance of the skin Any stimulus that is directed to influence and manipulate the internal or external organs must start with the skin. The body’s first contact with the outside world is through the skin and it is true to say that the skin is the mirror of our health. If a person has good health, his or her skin will be shiny, tight and smooth and will respond to temperature and will be warm when touched. The skin protects the body from pathogens and plays a role in a number of body functions. It is the main organ of sensation, through many millions of nerve endings contained in its structure.

The main fourteen channels with a direct link to the internal organs lie within the skin. When stimulating a particular point through Al-Hijamah, the organ’s blood and Qi is manipulated. In Chinese medicine the skin is directly controlled and influenced by the lungs. The lungs spread the Qi and fluids all over the body through the skin.

Blood Blood is transformed from the essence of food produced through the functional activity of Qi that circulates through the blood vessels and nourishes the body tissue. Blood is derived from food and Qi and produced by the spleen. (Blood will be discussed in detail in the section about the anatomy of the body)
Qi Qi is the invisible life force – like air and wind. The West tries to define Qi as ‘the energy of life’, ‘vital force’, ‘life force’, ‘energy’, but there is no Western equivalent. When we are ill we feel weak and have a low energy level but when we feel better we feel more energetic and much stronger. So we all experience the existence of Qi continuously.

Movement of any kind requires Qi and often this is manifested as heat. Lack of energy is signified by cold.

When treating a disease at the Qi level, the external pathogen is still fighting at the skin and the body’s overall resistance is still good. Some clinical manifestations of this are a high fever, a cough with thin yellow phlegm, wheezing and thirst. Al-Hijamah treatment at this level is very effective.

Stagnation Stagnation of body systems can be the result of lack of movement, injury, stress, a lack of blood, Qi or the invasion of cold into the body and joints. Cold drinks and foods or irregular feeding habits can also cause accumulation problems. All these impair the Spleen’s function of transformation and transportation. Clinical manifestations of this are restlessness, vomiting, the production of phlegm, diarrhea, constipation, a hardened stomach and painful abdomen. Al-Hijamah relieves all these symptoms.

Regardless of the cause, Al-Hijamah can be applied to specific points of the body like what is done in acupuncture, to the area that is dysfunctional. After a short time the patient will feel warmth and there will be a reduction of pain.

Fluids in the body can also become stagnant and they are necessary to help the stomach carry out its proper digestive function.

Al-Hijamah therapy regulates the flow of Qi and blood. It also helps draw out and eliminate pathogenic factors like wind, cold, damp and heat. Al-Hijamah also moves Qi and blood and opens the pores of the skin, thus, assisting the removal of pathogens through the skin.

Beauty therapy Al-Hijamah is also beneficial in beauty therapy as it promotes the production of hormones, encourages blood flow and body fluid movement in the bowels and internal organs. In this way toxins are removed and this is important because toxins speed up the aging process and cause other negative conditions.
Aging Authentic holistic therapy balances all aspects of the body. The aging process speeds up when individual cells dry out, or too much sun. Kidney weakness also speeds up the aging process and leads to dry and damaged hair, early graying or hair loss. Imbalance in ladies also manifests in the early signs of menopause with hot flushes, night sweats and dry skin. Simply applying external lotion to the skin or hair does not access the root cause.
Stimulating and strengthening effects The benefits of Al-Hijamah are uncountable due to its stimulating and strengthening effects. It has treated bowel conditions, headaches, back pain, arthritis, menstrual pain, injuries, asthma, cellulite, fatigue, anemia, depression and emotional problems, atrophy, sciatica, common cold and flu, skin problems, blood pressure, weight loss and ladies problems.

The negative role of toxins in the degeneration of health is of ever-increasing importance. Even though modern medicine has eradicated many epidemics there is an increase in what is called civilization diseases (metabolism diseases). These diseases are caused by the great quantity of chemicals a person takes during his or her lifetime. A recent American statistic on food additives shows a 100-pound intake per person in his life span. The average American takes about 1000 tablets a year. This is a health catastrophe. Modern medicine differs greatly from its ancestors who maintained that the body functions are interrelated in a network.

Release of toxins and impurities One of the main functions of Al-Hijamah treatment is that it releases toxins with minimal additional stress to internal organs. It also directly de-acidifies tissues, enhances blood circulation, stimulates the immune system and reduces stress as it releases chemicals in the brain that reduce stress and depression. Another benefit of Al-Hijamah therapy is that it facilitates a sufficient flow of nutrition to the affected tissues and stimulates the flow of blood and lymph to the affected area. In this way, it improves blood and lymph flow, and activates the function of the organs. Performing Al-Hijamah on the corresponding organ points is used to treat disorders such as liver and kidney problems, respiratory diseases, digestive disorders and some gynecological disorders.

In ancient times, Al-Hijamah did not have specific indications and was mainly used to drain blood and pus from abscess and for sucking blood from poisoned wounds and snakebites. However, in later times this therapy expanded to encompass illnesses related to internal medicine such as pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatism, abdominal pain, stomach ache, indigestion, headache, hypertension, common cold, lumbago, backache, swelling and eye pain and boils. In some places, Al-Hijamah therapy was used in conjunction with acupuncture. Today, Al-Hijamah is used to treat colds, lung infections and problems in the internal organs. It is also used to treat muscle spasms especially in the back. It can also be used to treat painful joints, stomachache, vomiting and diarrhea. Since Al-Hijamah stimulates the flow of blood it helps to treat blood stagnation, poor circulation, and asthmatic conditions.

Immunity Al-Hijamah strengthens the body’s resistance and eliminates pathogenic factors and so prevents illness. It also regulates the function of the blood and promotes general good health. By creating localized bruising, it activates the body’s defensive cells to heal the bruised area.

In the past, people who were not ill often had Al-Hijamah done twice a year; in the spring and the autumn believing that thinning the blood would promote good health. This continued to the 19th century and was a regular practice.

Pearl divers in the Arabian Gulf used to undergo Al-Hijamah before the diving season in the belief that this would prevent diseases during the three months at sea. It was also thought to be very effective against dizziness.

Dr. Katase from Osaka University maintained that Al-Hijamah influences the composition of blood as it increases red and white blood cells and changes acid blood into alkaline or neutral blood thereby leading to the purification of blood. It also purifies the body of accumulated irritants that cause inflammation.

Recent studies indicate that having Al-Hijamah done at specific points on the back increases immunity by increasing the white blood cell count. In addition to enhancing the body’s defenses, Al-Hijamah regulates blood circulation throughout the entire body. The flow of blood in the human body is very important as it regulates, coordinates and unifies the organs via the blood vessels. The flow of blood is the life force that maintains health and each organ receives its requirements of nourishment to maintain a healthy, normal state. The blood flows throughout the body nourishing tissues and enhancing the immune system.

Effect on circulatory system Al-Hijamah also has a positive effect on the circulatory system. Due to the pull of low pressure, the flow of blood in arteries and veins increases and in the veins localized congested blood appears then disappears. With Al-Hijamah therapy it is possible to ease the interruption of blood circulation and congestion and to eliminate the inflammatory fluids from the tissues. So the greatest characteristic of Al-Hijamah is the facilitation of blood flow.
Effect on muscles The pull of low pressure Al-Hijamah therapy activates the blood vessels within the muscles. The expansion of the blood vessels in the muscles facilitates the flow of blood and has a remarkable effect on stiff shoulder. After Al-Hijamah, the skin will glow because of the rise in skin temperature and muscles because of the increased blood flow.
Effect on diseases Almost all diseases respond to Al-Hijamah. The following are some of the most common:
Pain related conditions Al-Hijamah eases pain, especially that which is related to headache, menstrual cramps, dental pain, tennis elbow, muscle pain, back pain and sciatica.
Headache and migraine In the 18th century Al-Hijamah was considered to be an effective remedy for headache and it was highly recommended for migraine. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) used Al-Hijamah as a treatment for migraine.
Rheumatic diseases Many rheumatic disorders simply disappear after just a few sessions of Al-Hijamah therapy. It has a great effect on back and joint problems and is especially helpful for conditions such as rheumatism, lumbago and stiff neck and shoulders because it increases blood circulation and mobility. By supplying more oxygen, hormones and essential enzymes to local tissues and joints, Al-Hijamah keeps local tissues warm and this increases elasticity and flexibility in muscles and joints. It also relieves muscle spasms and stiffness in muscular tissue and the pain that is associated with it. It has a remarkable effect on a stiff (frozen) shoulder. It is also effective for chronic joint rheumatism as it facilitates the flow of blood to the joints. It also removes congested blood and solves problems that cannot be solved with acupuncture.
Arthritis In the beginning, Al-Hijamah was recommended for the treatment of arthritis and pain as well as gout. When treating arthritis the treatment is concentrated on the area of the joints concerned. If it is a mild case it is possible to have a complete cure.
Low back pain Al-Hijamah relieves low back pain and in chronic cases it can be used along with acupuncture.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Chronic fatigue syndrome is long-standing severe fatigue without substantial muscle weakness and without proven physical or psychological causes. It has been found that Al-Hijamah along with acupuncture is an effective treatment.
Fevers and local inflammation Chinese doctors believe that a number of diseases are the result of blood stagnation and heat. They used Al-Hijamah to remove stagnant blood, activate blood circulation and dispel pathogenic factors. Al-Hijamah was used on patients suffering from flu, headache and fever.
Chest and heart diseases Al-Hijamah is also recommended for the treatment of lung diseases, especially chronic cough, pleurisy, bronchial congestion and asthma. It was also advocated for the treatment of congestive heart failure until the 1930s. As recently as 1942, medical textbooks advised Al-Hijamah for high fever pneumonia and acute pneumonia. Al-Hijamah also successfully treats hypertension.
Gastrointestinal diseases The stomach, spleen and intestines are considered to be the most important engines of the human body. From these areas the natural healing power of the body derives its energy. Dry Al-Hijamah stimulates the insides of these organs, their movement and secretion of digestive fluids and so strengthens the power of digestion, the absorption of nourishment and the power of secretion. It relives chronic gastroenteritis and constipation. These organs also benefit from Al-Hijamah treatment applied to the back as it stimulates the spinal nerves and automatic nerves as well as strengthening the muscles of the respiratory system.
Urinary diseases Al-Hijamah therapy is known to treat stones, abscess and urine retention. Cups can be applied to the lumber region to treat urine retention.
Dermatologic diseases The skin disorders that are well-known to be treated by Al-Hijamah are: boils, abscess, herpes, acne, cellulite and urticaria. Sometimes acupuncture is used in conjunction with Al-Hijamah.

Al-Hijamah therapy is also known to stimulate hair growth through direct physical stimuli on hair roots and the expansion of blood vessels of the skin through the pull of low pressure.

The skin is benefited in many ways through Al-Hijamah treatment as it stimulates the flow of lymph fluids which helps remove bacteria and carry proteins. This strengthens the power of the skin and its resistance to many harmful conditions, meaning it would regenerate faster if it is cut or wounded. The enhancement of blood circulation encourages a sufficient supply of nutrition to skin tissue. After Al-Hijamah, skin temperature rises and increases blood flow. Al-Hijamah also improves skin respiration and promotes gaseous exchange within cells. It also promotes metabolism within skin tissues and accelerates the functions of both sweat and sebaceous glands leading to the secretion of salts, sebaceous material and the excretion of sweat.

The essential point of Al-Hijamah is not only to expel stagnant blood but also to expand blood vessels to facilitate blood flow and remove toxic substances from the surface of the skin.

Psychological diseases Al-Hijamah therapy is like massage and is effective against anxiety and worry. Hence, insomnia is treated with Al-Hijamah in conjunction with massage. It also helps balance hormones, which is very effective when treating depression.
Infectious diseases In the 18th century Al-Hijamah was considered an effective remedy for cholera and in America Al-Hijamah was encouraged during yellow fever epidemics. Furthermore, mumps was treated by applying water Al-Hijamah over the swollen glands.
Varicose veins Al-Hijamah removes stagnant blood from these fine capillaries. Al-Hijamah should never be done directly on the main varicose veins.
Cancer Most conventional doctors are trained to perform surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy to treat cancer. As the rate of cancer patients is soaring worldwide every available therapy should be utilized. Although there is no documented evidence that Al-Hijamah cures cancer, it is known to dramatically improve the condition of the patient. Some practitioners use it to rebalance energy in the body that has been blocked by certain tumors. Al-Hijamah is effective for undoing the damage done to patients by conventional therapies of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Al-Hijamah has found a place in cancer therapy, not yet as a cure, but as a complementary therapy that helps patient feel better, detox, relieve pain and recover faster. During chemotherapy the immune system is depleted and Al-Hijamah helps repair the immune system and strengthens it to withstand further attack.
Contraindications Al-Hijamah should not be performed on open wounds or around skin ulcers. It is contraindicated on irritated skin or over allergic skin or where any skin lesions are present. It should also be avoided in elderly people with thin, delicate skin. If the patient has a bleeding disorder Al-Hijamah should not be done. It is also unadvisable to perform Al-Hijamah wherever there are great vessels, and it is also not beneficial if the patient has serious heart disease.