Life & Style

Did you know? Cupping is actually an Islamic practice

Hijama, as the practice has been referred to in Islamic texts, literally means 'sucking'

Life&Style August 18, 2016

hijama as the practice has been referred to in islamic texts literally means 039 sucking 039 photo cnn

Hijama, as the practice has been referred to in Islamic texts, literally means 'sucking'. PHOTO: CNN

The media has been abuzz with stories of Olympic athletes, such as Micheal Phelps, displaying huge circular marks on their body. The marks are caused due to cupping - or Hijama, as the practice has been referred to in Islamic texts.

What are those circular marks on Michael Phelps’ body?

Hijama literally means 'sucking' or to 'bring something to its normal state' and it is a Sunnah (tradition of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised followers to carry out this healing act for better blood circulation.

PHOTO: PINTEREST

The Prophet's (peace be upon him) hadith (saying), as narrated by a companion Jabir bin 'Abdullah, stresses on the importance of cupping.

Jabir bin 'Abdullah said, "I will not leave till he gets cupped, for I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying, "There is healing in cupping." [Source: Saheeh Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 71, Number 600.]

In another hadith, narrated by Ibn 'Abbas, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Healing is in three things: A gulp of honey, cupping, and branding with fire (cauterising). But I forbid my followers to use (cauterization) branding with fire." [Source: Saheeh Bukhari Volume 7, Book 71, Number 584.]

Cupping is performed in several steps. The most common body part used for cupping is the upper back between the shoulder blades, away from veins and arteries; though it can also be performed in other areas. One way to think about cupping is that it is the inverse of massage. Rather than applying pressure to muscles, the suction uses pressure to pull skin, tissue and muscles upward, reports Mind Body Green.

All in one cup: More people turn to Hijama for a cure in the city

The advantages of cupping include healing many diseases such as anemia, high blood pressure, skin problems, migraines, anxiety and depression, asthma and the list goes on.

In traditional Islamic scripture, it is mentioned that cupping was also used to cure magic and poison - as it cleanses your blood.

The practice has now become increasingly common and not just athletes but A-list Hollywood celebrities also swear by this natural method.

Gwythen Paltrow. PHOTO: MIRROR.UK

Justin Bieber. PHOTO: DAILYMAIL

Jennifer Aniston. PHOTO: EONLINE

Watch how cupping is done here:

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COMMENTS (5)

Joe Smith | 2 years ago | Reply What a bunch of BS

Hmm | 8 years ago | Reply Islam is the youngest child among all children. Hence it has inherited or you can say stolen all the good things. Can you say mummification is a Islamic ritual ? Or did Iran was a good civilisation duribg Islamic era. All are nonsnse.islam is an evil ideoly for mad men.

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FM | 8 years ago | Reply Please don't work so hard to attribute everything under the sun to Islam. This isn't journalism. Cupping has been around for thousands of years. Its origins are probably in ancient Egypt, from where the Greeks and other cultures subsequently adopted it. As a Muslim I would much rather your newspaper avoided these nonsensical "feel good" stories. The stuff you feed your readers helps us develop a lopsided and unreal world view. We don't need this type of misinformation to justify our existence.

Bilal | 8 years ago | Reply its an ancient Chinese practice that was brought over to the Persia and greece thousands of year ago (before islam was founded) There are ancient Greek physicians who have written about it many hundreds years before even Jesus was born...

Raghu | 8 years ago | Reply After many years ET has finally posted an excellent article.

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