By: Dr. / Zaghloul El-Naggar

Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah (A.S.) narrated "the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)
said:

"If there is any effective remedy amongst your medical treatments,
they are in cupping, drinking honey, and cauterization with the help
of fire, but I do not like cauterization (in another narration, "and I
prohibit my nation from cauterization.)."

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Explanation of the Hadith

Cupping is a form of medical treatment that depends on creating a
vacuum on the sick parts, or on certain predetermined zones of the
body. Special suction cups, with two openings are used, as air is
sucked from one opening, and the other is placed on the determined
zone. The skin surface, to which the cup is attached, gets congested
with blood through the negative pressure. Very small and superficial
incisions are made in this congested skin, the length of which should
not exceed 3 centimeters and no more than 1.5 mm in depth and blood is
sucked through these incisions.

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Cupping was used in many ancient civilizations, including Arabs before
Islam. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) approved such use, and later it
was transferred to Europe through Muslims in Andalusia, and still used
up till today. The Prophet (PBUH) recommended the use of cupping in
cases of a severe headache, which leads to an increase in blood
pressure. It is also useful in cases of unilateral and migraine,
severely twisted joints and generally speaking in cases of severe
pain, all of which have been proved through medical research.

Cupping is similar in a way to acupuncture or certain massage
techniques, as it stimulates the part suffering from pain to send
pulses to the sensory and involuntary control centers in the brain,
calling out for help. Immediately as the pulses or signals reach these
centers, large amounts of chemicals and hormones are released from the
affected part, and are sent to central areas in the brain. The brain
sends its orders to various systems, which are responsible for the
biological operations in the body, giving them orders to save the
affected part. Medical research proved that the best treatment is that
which the body performs by itself.

That is why the Prophet (PBUH) said:

"The cupper is a good servant (of Allah), as cupping release blood,
relieves the spinal cord and enhances vision."

The fact that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) recommended cupping as an
effective way of treatment means the necessity of treating all
diseases with all available scientific procedures. The Prophet (PBUH)
said:

"There is healing for every illness, so if the right treatment is
used, the patient is cured by the Will of Allah,"

And said:

"Take medicine (or treatment) O slaves of Allah! Allah the Almighty
has made a cure for every disease, except for death."

Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) was cupped on his
thigh because of a severe twisting in his joint.

Anas Ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) was cupped on the back
of his foot, while in a state of Ihram, because of a pain he was
suffering in his foot. Ibn 'Abbas, moreover, narrated that the Prophet
(PBUH) was cupped on his head while, in a state of Ihram, when he
suffered from migraine.

Cupping was scientifically proved to be very effective in all the
cases described by the Prophet (PBUH).