Singapore, 2 Jan 2020 – I first witnessed a Hijama session a few years ago when my two friends had it done on their upper backs. I’ve heard that the medical treatment improves blood circulation, but didn’t really know then what was involved. I observed how the practitioner quickly but carefully made tiny incisions with a razor blade on a few cleansed spots on my friends’ upper backs; she then carefully placed warmed-up glass cups on the spots where the incisions were made. In just a few minutes, tiny droplets of blood began to trickle from the incisions into the cups.
Ten minutes later, the trickles have accumulated enough and to my astonishment some of the blood collected was thick and coagulated and some were fizzy with bubbles. The practitioner said the gluey blood was indicative of the poor blood circulation in our bodies caused by accumulated toxins, while the bubbles indicated the “wind” in our body the culprit that caused the lethargy in us.
Months later I decided to try hijama myself. The same practitioner cleansed five spots on my upper back. I felt the little pricks when she made the tiny incisions on my upper back using a razor – it felt a little uncomfortable – ok a little painful but that’s because I have very low threshold for pain. When the incisions have been made, she placed warmed-up glass cups over the spots with incisions on my skin. Almost immediately, I felt the tight pull on my skin on the spots where the glass cups were placed. At first it felt hot, but later the warmth became soothing and comforting.
Seconds later, droplets of blood started to make a slow trickle from the incisions on few spots. Blood struggled to come out from one or two spots. I was keen to see what came out from my body after a few minutes. Needless to say, the blood was almost coagulated and some came out with lots and lots of bubbles, just like the experience of my lady friends. Where blood struggled to come out from one or two spots indicated that my blood circulation wasn’t poor but worse – almost stagnant! Hence, more needs to be done.
With the exception of the pricks when the incisions were made on the skin surface, hijama seemed like a totally painless – in fact quite a pleasurable – exercise. After for about 20 minutes it was all completed. I was cleaned up. I felt relaxed, light and surprisingly refreshed! The stiffness that I had on my upper back before the hijama was also gone. Since then I’ve had hijama done on my lower back, around my knees and my ankles. In areas where I needed serious drawing of blood, I resorted to using leeches! (More on this in another article.)
I’m truly amazed with hijama. And it seems that I’m not the only one.
I’m even more amazed when during my research to write this article, I found out that in addition to the gift of five daily prayers that Prophet Muhammad SAW brought back from his miraculous Night Journey (Isra’ & Mi’raj), the angels also impressed upon him the importance of hijama!
Hijama & Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Night Journey
In the narration reported by Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, it was said that during Prophet Muhammad SAW’s Night Journey, the angels said to him, “O Muhammad, order your ummah (nation) with hijama (cupping).” [Sahih Sunan Tarmidzi 3479]
“I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the Night Journey except that they said to me, “upon you is hijama (cupping), O Muhammad (SAW).” [Sunan Ibn Maajah 3447]
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was reported to say, “Jibril (AS) repeatedly emphasized upon me to resort to hijama (cupping) to the extent that I feared that cupping will be made obligatory.”
Hijama is a practice of the beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW. According to various narrations, Prophet Muhammad SAW himself used to have hijama done on the veins on the side of the neck and the upper back. (At Tirmidzi) It is reported that Prophet Muhammad SAW had hijama done on his head for migraine (Bukhari), on his foot after a sprain (In Majah), on his neck (Abu Dawud), on his hip for hip pain (Abu Dawud). It is also reported that Prophet Muhammad SAW advised to perform hijama on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Best Medicine Available to Mankind
Hijama is the best medicine available to mankind, according to the various narrations of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
- “The best medicine with which you treat yourself is hijama.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari 5371]
- Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Messenger (SAW) said, “Hijama on an empty stomach is best. It is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory.” [Sahih Sunan Ibn Maajah 3487, 3488]
- “The best treatment is hijama (cupping); it removes bad blood, lightens the back and sharpens the eyesight.” [Tirmidzi 3053]
- “Indeed in hijama (cupping) there is a cure.” [Sahih Muslim 5706]
- It is reported that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Indeed the best remedies you have is hijama, and if there was something excellent to be used as a remedy then it is hijama.”
What’s in the Drawn Blood?
Dr David Parker, who works in the field of clinical nutrition, naturopathy and researches the effectiveness of both modern and ancient healing techniques, viewed blood samples drawn by hijama under dark field and light field microscopy. He detailed his findings in an article published in the International Cupping Society magazine in January 2010. (Refer: https://drmeelainling.com/microscopic-analysis-of-blood-from-cupping/)
“The dry layered blood sample viewed under light field microscopy consistently showed high concentrations of toxic metals and chemicals, as well as showing evidence of bacterial and parasitic activity. The appearance of the live blood under the dark field microscope showed that there were high concentrations of acids and inflammatory proteins often referred to as fibrin.”
“These phenomena were more frequently present when the blood was removed from an area where the patient was experiencing pain and inflammation.” Dr Parker concluded that the area of pain appears to act like a “magnet for acids, toxins and pathogens.”
“It is therefore very logical to assume that removal of these from the local area will bring about symptomatic relief, while encouraging fresh circulating blood to deliver healing nutrients and oxygen to the affected tissue, thus providing healing and resolution.”
“Together with dietary change, cleansing and detoxification therapy, along with education regarding the avoidance of toxins within the patient’s environment, I see Hijama or wet cupping as a very effective adjunctive therapy on the path to wellness.” (Dr David Parker, ND, International Cupping Society Magazine, January 2010)
Dr Parker also said proteinous waste found in live blood sample indicates a diet that contains “too much cooked food and lacks enzymes for complete digestion.”
“Rouleaux and Fibrin were in live blood samples under dark microscopy. Such formation of red blood cells and inflammatory proteins are always present in blood that is overly acidic and infected.”
A sample of healthy blood showed “red cells sitting separately in their own space, having the freedom to travel around the body network of capillaries, which in some cases are one red cell in diameter. Free-floating white blood cells known as neutrophils, again having the freedom to patrol around the body searching for toxins and pathogens.”
Hijama Prevents The Onset of Diseases; Cures Too
Many diseases are associated with the failure of blood to circulate smoothly, preventing nutrients to get to the various parts of the body, thus preventing the body to heal. Hijama makes for a smoother blood circulation by clearing blockages and stagnated circulation.
- It makes the body toxin-free.
- It prevents and cures for all complicated major illnesses.
- It removes dead blood cells from the cardiovascular system, purifies blood and increases red and white blood cells. It clears veins, arteries and capillaries.
- It strengthens immune system, enhancing resistance to diseases.
- It promotes cell activities, increases hormone secretions, delaying ageing process in many parts of the body.
- It stimulates the lymphatic system and balances vital energy. (Source: www.hijamahouse.com)
Hijama and Diseases
Founder of Hijama House in Mumbai, Hakim Mushtaq Shaikh, who has 24 years experience said on his website, HijamaHouse.com, with the Grace of Allah he’s been able to treat diseases like diabetes, hypertension, bone disorders and skin related issues. He said he has a strong belief that prophetic medicine is capable of healing almost every disease be it cancer or obesity. (4) On his website he said hijama can successfully treat:
- Skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis and acne
- Fertility and gynaecological issues and endometriosis
- Anxiety, migraine and depression
- Rheumatoid and Osteo Athritis
- Back, Neck and Still Muscles
- Blood Disorders like Anemia and hemophilia
- High blood pressure
- Cancer
Hakim Mushtaq who started his Hijama clinic in 2009, now has hijama centres all throughout Mumbai, according to his website HijamaHouse.com.
Global Revival of the Once Forgotten Sunnah
While hijama did not begin with Prophet Muhammad SAW – it had been in practice since ancient times by the thousands of Prophets prior his time – the angels gave him the good news of hijama during his miraculous Night Journey some 1,440 years ago.
For some time the Prophet’s Sunnah of hijama seemed to have been forgotten. But today the world over is falling in love with hijama once again. New hijama centers have sprung up in recent years in many countries.
Our lady practitioner in Singapore said she receives many queries on hijama. Many are keen to understand the age-old technique of healing. Courses on hijama too are being offered in many different parts of the world. Hijama has also been accepted in the mainstream medicine in some countries with hijama services being offered by clinics and hospitals, she said.
In Singapore, in addition to Muslim practitioners, hijama or cupping services are widely offered by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinics.
One important thing to remember is to make sure one goes to a reputable, trusted and a professional practitioner to get the best results.-/- www.halaluniverse.net
