"HIJAMAH PARTY"
(Warning….explicit photos from this Hijamah party follow!)
NOTE: this is an edited version from first posting, the images have been "scribbled" over to avoid displaying the Awrah.
Blood…. the river of life….a river of 100,000 miles, and more than five litres, flowing, moving, cleaning, delivering, transforming! The circumference of the earth at the equator is 25,000 miles. If the blood vessels of an adult were lined up end to end, they would circle the equator four times! SubhanAllah! How do we ever think we can comprehend the Wisdom of Allah Ta’ala and His magnificence, SubhanAllah!
Most of the blood vessels in the human body are microscopic capillaries. They are short in length but there are a lot of them, about 40 billion! To appreciate this, you need to understand how big one billion is. The human heart beats about 100,000 times a day. At this rate it would take thirty years to beat one billion times.
Every cell in the body gets its nutrients from blood, a mixture of cells and plasma. The heart pumps blood through the arteries, capillaries and veins to provide oxygen and nutrients to every cell of the body, and it also carries away waste products. Just think of that tiny little red corpuscle carrying oxygen that distance-no wonder why we have tired blood!
And Allah Ta’ala in his Wisdom has provided the means of rejuvenating this intricate and marvelous system through cupping, (1,2,3) a Sunnah of our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, even though its pre-Islamic history is a varied and ancient.
Many Ahadith have been attributed to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam regarding cupping, from Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet by Imam ibn Qayyim Al-Jauziayh.
· There are no remedies comparable to cupping and blood letting
· Get cupped
· The best medicine is cupping
· Cupping purifies the outside of the body, and bleeding from the vein purifies its inside.
· Cupping on an empty stomach is medicine, and on a full stomach it is a disease.
· Whoever is cupped on the 17th, 19th or 21st day of the month (lunar) will be cured of every disease.
· Blessed is a servant who practices cupping. It cleanses the blood, dries out internal inflammations, and brightens one’s vision.
· Even the angels told Mohammed SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, during the night of Isra’ to use cupping, and to recommend it for his Ummah.
· Rasulullah used to have the cups applied to the two jugular veins on the nape of the neck, on the head and the upper back area, and sometimes to the hip area.
A Nigerian sister performs cupping in her home, or in private homes if a group of sisters arrange to gather there, or in hotel rooms for pilgrims temporarily visiting Madinah. She is very skilled and efficient and is known for her excellent reputation with cupping, having been using this treatment for many decades. She uses aluminium cups (above) which are boiled prior to being used on each person.
The first placement of the cups, to suck the blood to the surface. Scars from previous cupping can be seen below the cup on the left and to the right of this photo. After remaining on the skin for about ten minutes they are removed and small incisions are made with a blade.
and then the cups are replaced on the same area to draw the blood out from the series of small slashes. The position of these five cups, the fifth one only just in view to the left, along with one on the crown of the head, are regarded as the Sunnah cupping positions.
A view from above, with a bowl of the extracted blood on the floor. The cups are taken off, the accumulated blood tipped out, and then they are replced on the same place for yet another ten minutes.
A close up of the small slashes within the circular area that was under the cup.
First the area is sprayed with antiseptic and then powder is applied.
The aftermath!
Unfortunately, like the Sunnah of Kohl and Miswak, the "authorities" are demanding "scientific proof" as to the effectiveness of these practices, and are implementing measures to ban Hijamah in the Kingdom. The sister providing the service for this "Hijamah Party" was exceptionally diligent in the manner she worked wearing new gloves for each of us, using sterilized swabs, and new blades for each sister, and in all the years she has been practicing here in Madinah she has not had any negative situations. Alhumdulillah.
May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to the noble way of His Blessed Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the only way that guarantees success in this world and our Akhirah, Ameen.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.
As-salamu’Alaykum!
Aunty Noor, that looks sooo painful!!
Thanks for sharing though….
Wasalams,
Sidra
Comment by Sidra — June 8, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
Subhanallah!!! Yet another sunnah that is being brought to life in this time of wide spread trials and tribulations. May the promised honour for those reviving the Sunnah of our Beloved Nabi Salallahualaihiwasalam, be bestowed up all who revive even the simplest of the Magnificent Prophetic traditions, ameen.
Comment by ikramuddin — June 8, 2007 @ 11:43 pm
I have wanted to know for a long time now exactly what cupping is.NOW I KNOW !!!!Jazakallahu Khairan for sharing.It would be interesting to hear about what specific ailments people were cupped for and the effect of the cupping.
May Allah guide us all to learn more of the blessed sunnah of our Holy Prophet and put it into practise.Ameen.
Comment by Umm Yusuf — June 9, 2007 @ 1:06 am
I think I liked the first photo the most !
Wassalam
Comment by Umm Yusuf — June 9, 2007 @ 1:08 am
Is this the same as “bleeding,” a practice used for thousands of years, and begun in ancient Egypt, I think? Modern medicine believes it is dangerous and serves no purpose, so I would also be interested to know more about it, and what ailments it is usded for.
Ya Haqq!
Comment by Irving — June 9, 2007 @ 4:56 am
Assalamu alaikum dear Sidra Bheti….it looks far worse than it is, true! And with the intention of joining such a “Hijamah Party”, being that one is following a Sunnah, and Dhikr is ongoing, then Allah Ta’ala makes it easy and of benefit, Alhumdulillah.
Ameen Thumma Ameen dear brother Ikramuddin, if the entire Ummah became steadfast on reviving the Sunnah I feel our condition would change…but we all need to embrace each and every aspect of the Sunnah with love and devotion, Insha’Allah.
Dear Umm Yusuf….Insha’Allah we will have such a “party” when you are here! Dear brother Irving…so many ancient treatments are shared across so many cultures..the sucking of leeches being one example of cleansing the blood…I feel “man” has become so distanced from so many natural remedies, and so distanced from living and learning from the environment, in our lifestyles, our eating, our religious prectices, and that this imbalance is manifest in the body more than a century or so ago, whereby we need balancing out…an equilibrium of sorts. I feel Hijamah offers that…it detoxes the blood, brings harmony to the intricate meridian system, which many other alternative therapies also do. I do not think the ongoing debate between the “scientists” and the traditional forms of treatment will ever reach a common ground, and for me that is fine, as it is enough to have been blessed with this Deen and to implicitly trust all that our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam taught is the best path to be on, and our Deen does not need scientific verification, even though many do find this interesting when it does happen. we in general tend to compartmentalize our bodies when dealing with dis-ease, whereas many of these therapies still work from the notion that each and every aspect is interconnected….and one cannot treat “bits” in isolation,the blood being the common denominator, it seems logical that so many “bits” are therefore enhanced when it is cleansed and rejuvenated.
Circulatory diseases, treating blood pressure, respiratory problems, headaches and general tension, stress related conditions, muscular, rheumatic, arthritic, joint pain, all respond to Hijamah. I have read and heard that it activates the lymphatic system, clears colon blockages, is used for the treatment of eczema, improves varicose veins, as well as being the best form of deep tissue massage available, and more. I hear sisters say, and have seen, that after a session, or a series of sessions over some months that they feel lighter, more alert, that an inner harmony is felt, and some of the above mentioned problems are lessened. The children (10-16) of friends here have regular sessions and look forward to their next treatment! Insha’Allah this answers your comments….maybe I will do more research on it here in Madinah and write another post later. I did not delve into any case studies or testimonials from the sister who did this for us this time….Insha’Allah I could do so next time.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — June 9, 2007 @ 6:55 pm
Assalaamu alaikum
Dear sister - jazakAllah for posting such a needed reminder. One small point - do you think it wise to post pictures of sisters exposing their awrah?
I understand that you wanted to illustrate how the cupping is actually performed, but I’m not sure this was the best way - Allahu alam..
Apologies if I have offended you in any way.
Duas, Wassalam
Comment by Ukthi — June 9, 2007 @ 10:11 pm
As salaamu alai kum dear Ukhti, it is fascinating and i am grateful you shared the whole process. Ameen to the duas for the revival of the Sunnah.
Wa’salaam
farhanah
Comment by Farhanah — June 10, 2007 @ 3:08 pm
Assalamu alaikum dear Ukhti ,
I appreciate your comment,may your rewards be great for your concern, and may my forgiveness be greater if I have transgressed regarding this post. There was considerable discussion regarding the contents, with the decision to include what I have for the sake of a Sunnah that has not only been neglected, but has been forbidden in the very place that our Beloved Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam practiced this form of healing. The intention was instructive of the process. And Allah the Almighty knows best.
Dear Ukhti Farhanah, Insha’Allah you too can join us here in reviving this Sunnah soon! Though I believe there are practitioners where you are.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — June 10, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
Assalaamu alaikum
Dear sister, I appreciate the fact that you wished to convey to the readers the importance of reviving such an important sunnah alhamdulillah - my heart however is still unsettled and perhaps a picture of a brother having hijamah performed would have been ‘better’?
The whole issue of pictures is a contentious one in itself……
I cannot express enough gratitude to you for giving us such a personal insight into the mubarak city of our beloved Nabi (SAW) - jazakAllah khairan umpteen times over..
Please remember this humble one in your duas…hope your week away from the blog is a blessed one full of Allah’s Mercy and Bounties, Ameen.
Cupping in the Middle East so I’m told by a very trustworthy source, has become a little commercial. When it is performed, it should NEVER leave a scar…my husband has his performed by an iraqi brother who uses suction with a small cup and then small pin pricks which remain on the body for a couple of days and then disappear…there should not be any scarring of the tissue - if anyone is going to have it done, please make sure the person performing it is experienced and reliable.
Comment by ukthi — June 11, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
Assalamu alaikum dear Ukhti, I do not know what happened with your comments….found six attempts “imprisoned” by the spaminator, which I still do not know how it works….so have just released your appreciated nasihah, JazakiLlahu khairan. May rewards be piled HIGH for you and yours for your Adab and for your efforts in maintaining our Deen as it should be…photoshop is currently busy in “transforming” the photos…Insha’Allah I will edit the post when the changes are finished. May Allah Ta’ala accept my repentance for all my wrong doings and guide me to keep a clean heart worthy of all the Barakah He constantly bestows on this needy, weak, slave, Ameen.
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — June 11, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
Assalaamu alaikum
My dear sister - jazakAllah khair for your kind words and heartfelt duas, Ameen wa iyyaki to them all.
You may delete one of the two that did end up being posted…both are very similar - I didn’t quite understand what was happening so after a few failed attempts, gave up..
Pray you and your loved ones are safe and in good health.
Wassalaam
Comment by Ukthi — June 12, 2007 @ 2:51 am
P.S just saw the photoshop versions! Alhamdulillah…love and duas
Comment by Ukthi — June 12, 2007 @ 2:52 am
Assalaam Alaikum, JazakAllahu khairun sister Miskeenah. I always wondered if anyone is getting cupping done in todays age, so I can find out how it feels, Now I know! Does the scars shown on pictures will they go away? JazakAllah.
Comment by Umm-e-Shiraaz — March 3, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
Wa ‘alaikumus Salam Dear Umm-e-Shiraaz, many places all over the world still offer this Sunnah, Alhumdulillah. There was discussion about the scars…many saying no sacrs are left…I do not have any…maybe it depends on the individual and also the method, as there is the wet and dry way…the former being the Sunnah way, but many opting for the comfort of the dry method where a pump is used instead of a flame to bring the blood to the surface. It is not as painful as it looks!
Wassalamu alaikum
almiskeenah
Comment by almiskeenah — March 4, 2008 @ 8:55 pm