Section: Hijamah in the condition of strength
170. Introduction
The simplest method of Hijamah is that used for general health promotion and the Nabi (SAW) used the most common method. In this type of Hijamah there is no serious complaint by the patient that would warrant a special type of Hijamah or the use of "special" Hijamah points other than the standard points on the back, neck or head. This is traditionally termed as Hijamah-bi-Sihhat (Hijamah in the condition of health), many also refer to it as "sunnah cupping". Both terms are not correct however as the Rasul of Allaah (SAW) had cupping done both in health and as a treatment for particular pains and ailments, and it is also rare to find someone nowadays with absolutely no illness. I prefer the term Hijamah in strength, referring to performing Hijamah for someone who is of general good health and strength.Such a patient may however complain of general symptoms such as a feeling of sluggishness, tiredness etc, they may also have a regular habit of doing Hijamah and are aware of the benefits it has for them personally, or they are trying this method of health preservation for the first time under recommendation from their friends or acquaintances. Their general health is good, and very importantly their pulse is strong indicating a healthy amount of blood and also a good amount of heat in the blood. They may also be suffering from a constitutional blood or heat excess as is common in hot climates.If the pulse is weak or deep then this type of Hijamah is not indicated as it means that there is deficient blood or the heat of the body is internal and not in the exterior parts of the body. (The method of feeling and interpreting the pulse is detailed in the Hijamah Treatment Guide for Practitioners)In this type of Hijamah care is taken to observe the rules of Hijamah with regard to the condition of the patient, as well as the season, climate, day of the lunar month and time of the day in which Hijamah is performed as this greatly influences the nature of blood that will be removed. Not observing these and performing this type of general Hijamah outside of its recommended times will not result in any benefit for the patient and will very often result in long term harm for the patients health. This may not be apparent immediately after the procedure, but will be noticed in the months and even years to come afterward.When applying Hijamah in the condition of strength the areas being cupped are standard, these are mentioned in the Ahadeeth:Abu Kabsha (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullaah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to undergo cupping on the head and between his shoulders and he used to say, 'Whosoever removes this blood, it will not harm him that he does not take any other medical treatment.' (Mishkāt p. 389)From examining the various Ahadeeth and by consensus of those experienced practitioners of Hijamah the areas used in this general form of Hijamah are;
171. For a man
1. The area between the shoulder blades, most commonly in line with the inferior end of the scapula which is in line with the 7th thoracic vertebra. Sometimes other points lateral to the spinal column between the spinouts processes of the 6th to 9th thoracic vertebrae are used. This particular area is the best for performing general Hijamah as it is the area where toxins and impurities in the blood accumulate and stagnate especially around the 17th. 19th and 21st of the month. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this point is regarded as the meeting point of the blood and is used for all blood disorders whether due to deficiency or excess.2. The occipital area of the neck in the recesses formed between the upper portion of the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezius muscles. This is in the region of a commonly used acupuncture point called Feng Chi, which means "wind pool". It is believed that many pathogens enter the body at this area and that is why it is recommended to cover this area when it is cold or windy. Treating this area is helpful in resolving a number of common ailments of the head and neck, including headache, vertigo, pain/stiffness of neck, blurry vision, red/painful eyes, tinnitus, nasal obstruction, common cold, and rhinorrhea (runny nose, nasal discharge associated with allergies or hay fever or common cold). It's also very useful for insomnia, and tends to have a relaxing and balancing effect upon the nervous system.3. On the head in the midline, the exact point is normally directly above the apex of the ear as in the diagram below: In Traditional medicine this point corresponds with the acupuncture point called Bai Hui, meaning a hundred convergences and is the meeting point of all the yang energy of the body. It is commonly used to treat all mental, emotional disorders, but also useful for headaches, epilepsy, neurological and endocrine disorders.4. On the anterior aspect of the foot in a depression distal to the junction of the 2nd and 3rd metatarsal bones. This area is traditionally used to treat swelling, headache, dizziness / vertigo, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation. It can also aid groundedness and focus and treat ADD/ADHD, mania, restlessness, palpitations and epilepsy.In women the same areas are used except for the Hijamah point on the head but the quantity of blood removed is less. Note that women are not in need of regular Hijamah as they do release blood through the menses, if they have experienced menopause then it is fine to do as long as they are still strong and not suffering from blood deficiency in which case one must observe the rules of performing Hijamah in illness.
172. Days for performing Hijamah in strength
Anas ibn Maalik (RA) reported that the Rasul (SAW) said, "Whoever wants to perform Hijamah then let him search for the 17th, 19th and 21 st..." [Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah (3486)].These are the generally accepted dates for Hijamah, irrespective of what day of the week they fall on, though there are other Ahadeeth that seem to prohibit having it done on particular days of the week, these Hadeeth are categorized as Daeef however and as such the days mentioned in them are not strictly prohibited, they are mentioned here for completeness:Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Rasul (SAW) said, "Hijamah on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a blessing. It improves the intellect and the memory. So cup yourselves with the blessing of Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from Hijamah on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday to be safe. Perform Hijama on Monday and Tuesday for it is the day that Allaah saved Ayoub from a trial. He was inflicted with the trial on Wednesday. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night." (Sunan ibn Maajah (3487)]Ibn Umar (RA) reported that the Rasul (SAW) said, "Hijamah on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory. It improves the memory of the one memorising. So whoever is going to be cupped then let it be) on a Thursday in the name of Allaah. Keep away from being cupped on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Be cupped on a Monday or Tuesday. Do not be cupped on a Wednesday because it is the day that Ayoub was befallen with a trial. You will not find leprosy except (by being cupped) on Wednesday or Wednesday night." [Sunan ibn Maajah (3488)].In reconciling these it can be said that for Hijamah in strength, the dates are specified, they are the 17th, 19th or 21st of the lunar month and the best is when these dates coincide with a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, though there is no prohibition for having this type of Hijamah done on any other day as long as it corresponds with the 17th, 19th and 21st.(There is difference of opinion regarding the prohibition on particular days of the week, since another way of reconciling is considering that the Nabi of Allaah (SAW) in the above two Ahadeeth was referring to that particular month in which the Hadeeth was narrated and referring directly to the days of that week and the week after. If Thursday was the 19th, then the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday would be the 13th, 14th and 15th, and on these days of the Islaamic month it is mentioned that cupping should not be done, Monday and Tuesday would be the 16th and 17th which would be okay for cupping, since they are after the full moon. Wednesday being prohibited in this case would be the exact day of the year that corresponded with the illness of Nabi Ayyoob (AS), and Thursday being the ideal day to perform Hijamah.)It is important to note that this type of Hijamah (i, e Hijamah in strength / Sunnah Hijamah) should be performed only in the seasons of spring and summer. When the climate is hot. However, in places like Hejaz where it is hot throughout the year it can also be performed in the other seasons.Further detail is discussed in the chapters on the guidelines for performing Hijamah.