Some Frequently Asked Questions about Hijama - by Zahid Malik

The following is a guest blog-post by Br Zahid Malik, a male cupping therapist from the  The Therapy Clinic in Manchester. 

PLEASE NOTE:  The opinions discussed on the article are of the author and sharing this post on the blog for general information does not necessarily mean we entirely endorse or agree with all the points and opinions discussed in it. Also note that the questions chosen and answers given for the Frequently Asked Questions post  are also the author's and it does necessarily mean other therapists would choose the same questions and have the same or similar answers.

Some Frequently Asked Questions about Hijama - by Zahid Malik from The Therapy Clinic

How can Hijama / Cupping therapy benefit all people from every walk of life ?  

There are many authentic hadīth’s that narrate that the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) used hijama for himself, and his strong recommendation for everyone to receive hijama / cupping treatment as a preventative and curative treatment for all medical and spiritual related issues.

At The Therapy Clinic, we do not discriminate; we offer our services to everyone regardless of race, religion, sect, gender or age.

Race / Religion : Everyone is treated and respected the same at The Therapy Clinic; you can share your opinions and beliefs with us and we would be very glad to help you every step of the way to get to a better YOU ! We can consult & advise and treat you at the same time.  As therapists & hijama specialists, whether we share the same beliefs as you, or not, it really doesn’t matter; however The Therapy Clinic team aims to please everyone, yes everyone, including YOU !  

Gender : Our services are proposed to both men and women, we work together to help you feel more comfortable and also due to modestly, we carry out all consultations & all treatments by one’s own gender therapist’s.

Age : As it’s said age is just a number, we also feel the same but we do recommend that if a child would like hijama / cupping treatment has at least hit puberty age. However you are more than welcome to come in for a consultation and we can discuss further.

We believe that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) was sent out for the whole of mankind and recommended for the whole Mankind to receive hijama /cupping treatment, so we welcome any individual, so please do not hesitate to contact us… Don’t Delay, Call Today !

Hijama / Cupping therapy is an ancient medical treatment and was also recommended by the Arch Angel Gabriel (AS) to the Prophet (SAW) and his community. For that reason, no one should feel that it is a treatment only for a certain ‘category’. It is a successful remedy for all people, without exception. This is because the Messenger Muhammed (pbuh) was sent as a mercy for all of Mankind (Rahmat Al Alamin).

Treatment Fees :  Abdullah ‘ibn Abbās also reported that the Messenger (SAW) took the treatment of hijama on both sides of his neck (on the carotid arteries) and between his shoulders, and paid the cupper his fees. If it had been harām or forbidden to pay the cupper, he would not have paid it. (Tirmidhi 49.003/345).

The Therapy Clinic Establishment

"For every disease there is a cure so if the medicine comes upon the disease it cures it by the will of Allah, the Most High." [Saheeh Muslim - 2204]

We offer great brand new facilities to both men and women as we have several  experienced members of staff to help you feel at ease and provide their expertise in the following treatments:

Dry & Wet Cupping (Hijama),  Relaxing, Sports & Physio Massages, Reflexology,

Hopi Ear Candle treatment & various other products for retail & wholesale.

                 

How belief/taqwa can help to achieve better results in hijama

Hijama is a traditional part of prophetic medicine, dating back to the time of the Prophet Ibrāhīm (AS) and it can be a remedy for all diseases. Many hadith’s recommend cupping:

Anas bin Malik, (RA), reported, “Then the Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘The best medicines you may treat yourselves with are hijama and sea incense.” (Bukhārī 7.599)

We would like to remind you that it is Allah (The Most High, The Most Great !), Whom is always with you and that He wants you to heal. Whilst you are getting your hijama / cupping treatment, the Great Angels are with you showering you with Allah’s blessings, waiting to give you Glad tidings and immense healing energy as you’re following the Prophet's way and asking for healing from Allah. We usually ask our Muslim patients to recite small chapters from the Quran, such as Ayat-Ul-Qursi, Surah Al- Fatiha, the four Quls and Darood (salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)and keep the strong belief or taqwa of Our Lord in your heart, that you’re having the treatment done for either general wellbeing or for a particular illness/condition. Whatever the reason and with the faith in Allah, you should be cured and with that Allah is the One to help you. At The Therapy Clinic, we all believe that Allah is the only one Mighty Power of Healing that can truly help you. Whilst the patient is praying, the therapist’s also pray for and with you whilst practising Hijama. We tend to audio play recitations from the Holy Quran in Arabic & English in the background which can also help one to relax and put you at ease, God Willing !

Angels also recommend hijama:

It was narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, "I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me, ‘Upon you is hijama.’ (Ibn Mājah 3477)” In the narration reported by Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud the angels said, "Oh Muhammad, order your nation with (to perform) cupping." (Tirmithi 3479)

Abū Hurayra RA, reported that the Messenger (pbuh) said, "Whoever performs hijama on the 17th, 19th or 21st day, then it is a cure for every disease." (Abū Dāwūd 3861).

Therefore, as an added benefit to our registered clients, we provide everyone with these sunnah dates for  every month - reminders are sent out via email and can be found on our website so we can provide for you the best service so one can pre plan their timings for dates in hijama.

As well as a practice and a guidance from Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) it’s also known to us that of hijama/cupping or bloodletting was a practice that many Prophets carried out, as the treatment holds great benefit, as well as beautiful blessings . It truly is a divine gift, therefore in this case knowledge really is power ! As this treatment is from Our Lord, we know cupping/hijama to be a living miracle from Him, Allah. (The Most High, The Most Knowing)

How dynamic /versatile is the treatment?

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Cupping is the most helpful procedure for human beings to cure themselves.” (Al Bukhari, 5357, and Muslim 1577)

He (pbuh) also said, “If there is any good in your medical treatments, it is in the blade of the cupper, drinking honey…..” (Al Bukhari, 5356, and Muslim, 2205)

Hijama can be treated for many different reasons; it is the best cure for ANYTHING. We, at The Therapy Clinic can help with many different conditions. We use a certain protocol and always apply this for the best practise and make sure that we record each and every treatment that we do to allow you to be in the safest hands possible.

Hijama treatment can also be treated for general wellbeing, to detox, relax and balance your mind, body and soul. According to the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) there are certain places on the body that should have this treatment even if the individual is well, to be used as a preventive treatment.

Orthodox vs. Holistic approach (or in other words):

Hospitals, Doctors approach:	The Therapy Clinic’s approach:
Treats symptoms or evident signs of illness	Seeks patterns and causes
Specialised and treats parts of the person	Involves the whole person
Pain and disease are regarded as negative	Pain and “dis-ease” are considered as helpful signals of internal disharmony
Disease is seen as a “bad” condition	Disease is seen as a process
The body is seen as a machine in good or bad repair	The body is seen as a dynamic system of body-mind-spirit and of energy fields
Primary intervention is with surgery, drugs, radiation	Minimal intervention with technologies complemented by non-invasive use of such things
Primary reliance on quantitative information – lab tests, instruments, charts, etc	Qualitative information, including the client’s statements and attitudes, intuition, etc
“Prevention” is seen as an annual or more often laboratory tests and examinations	Wholeness in relationships, work, goals,  together with good nutrition, etc

The Therapy Clinic aims to keep the clients pleased with their results, also to revive their sunnah in a way of preventative and curative medicine that has been recommended to our Ummah by our prophet (pbuh). Furthermore, we like to treat our clients with upmost respect and uphold our beliefs and religion.

Anas bin Malik, (RA), reported, "The Messenger of Allāh (SAW) sent for a slave who had the profession of hijama, and he cupped him." (Bukhārī 3.481)

The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) preferred to use a holistic approach to treatments. We have come to know this through narrations such as, where it’s been reported that, The Prophet (pbuh) said, ‘The best medicines you may treat yourselves with are hijama and sea incense.’ He added, ‘You should not torture your children by treating tonsillitis by pressing the tonsils or the palate with the finger, but use incense.’ (Bukhārī 7.599)

The Therapy Clinic also likes to be involved with the clients, listen to their needs, how they feel and each time the clients returns.  Firstly we ask them if & how the hijama treatment had benefited them, the differences it made to their previous condition and on their life, i.e. mind, body and soul and how we can further improve one’s personal health condition through a good balanced nutrition diet & daily exercise routines that can help their health from that point onwards inshallah . If one’s Deen and Imaan is strong,  we can help to get the person geared into the positive path ones again, God willing.

Where did you learn this Miraculous Skill? 

Allah (swt) has created each of us with a purpose and has created work for each of to complete on this planet.  Out of His infinite Mercy Ar-Rahman also provides ways for those whom he loves to do well in this world.  Although this was not a path of our choosing, we are here inevitably and have devoted a portion of our time and Rizq towards helping others and educating the Ummah about hijama. It is something we needed in our lives, and we found no other quality experience so we decided we would be that experience.

Myself, Zahid Malik was introduced to a hijama specialist in Medina, Arabian Peninsula with great experience & knowledge but most importantly he was a very pious man, almost like an angel, Subhanallah. I was very blessed with my initial training & knowledge from him, Sheikh Mohammed Abdallah Elkholy. He realised my sincerity to the Deen or must have noticed something about myself that I could help others, so he strongly urged me to carry out formal training to help benefit the humanity in the West, especially the UK. 

After returning back to the UK, I enrolled on a Hijama course, with Natural Health Natures Finest (NHNF), with a well renowned teacher & practitioner Anisa Kisoon. Mashallah the course was well put together, incorporating health & lifestyle, human anatomy, science, history, Islamic medicine, holistic/alternative medicine & much more. I qualified with NHNF in June 2010 & as soon as I had qualified, I took the steps towards setting The Therapy Clinic, in Manchester in 2010.

What happens to my blood after my hijama treatment?

“Islam was built on the foundation of cleanliness.”

Another hadith that reminds us the principle of cleanliness is as follows: 

“Allah is clean; He loves clean people.”

The Therapy Clinic maintains very high standards of hygiene, sanitisation and cleanliness. We aim to keep ourselves over & beyond the UK standards of Health and Safety Act and we endeavour to keep this beautiful duniya (world) a clean and uncontaminated as can be. All contaminated waste is disposed off with facilities that are provided in our clinic, as part of the treatment and is not charged at any extra cost. Separate clinical blood waste products and a separate waste bin for sharps and other clinical waste are provided in each of our treatment rooms. The Therapy Clinic assures and reassures YOU that our clinical facilities emptied on a regular basis and disposed of carefully and correctly. Clinical waste company, Cannon Hygiene, work in conjunction with Manchester City Council & the NHS organisation.  

Does Hijama / wet cupping hurt?

Wet Cupping (Hijama) does hurt a little bit when the incisions are made, however certainly  less than an injection! As it's not as intrusive as an injection, we simply make very small surface scratches! – It sounds and perhaps looks more worse than what it actually is.

During the treatment, you cannot feel the blood coming out at all and it may just sting a little when the treatment ends. Black seed oil or olive oil should be applied to seal the minor cuts. We do not recommend any anti-septic products or alcohol related products to use as the idea of a holistic based treatment is that it's kept as natural / organic & as authentic sunnah approach as possible. The incisions may sting for one day after the treatment, but should feel better thereafter. They will take about 3-10days to heal.

With Hijama / Cupping treatment, are there any side effects?

Make sure your stomach is empty when you arrive for treatment. ‘Ibn ‘Umar RA, reported that the Messenger (pbuh), said, "Hijama on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory.” (‘Ibn Mājah 3487) Also, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking water before and after the treatment unless you are fasting.

The most common side effect of cupping is the discoloration that occurs in the region a pressurised cup is placed on the skin.  It is important to note this is not a bruise! Bruises hurt and these discolorations carry no pain.  These marks are cleansed by the body’s lymph system so the duration is dependent on the efficiency of the lymph system.  Typically a fit person who hydrates well will clear up in 5-7 days.  When a person is under-hydrated or is not at optimal lymph flushing the discoloration could last 10-14 days.  We are absolutely careful not to cup in areas where the discolorations are visible, such as the face. If we need to, we are trained in ways to minimize discoloration.  Another common side effect is a deep sense of calm and relaxation.  For most people this a good thing. However in some cases the body is signalling the person to rest, as if it is recovering from a cold.  When you are sick, the body sends you clear symptoms to stay home and take care of yourself.  Hijama could send you the same signal via reducing your energy for a few days while it repairs and cleanses the treated areas.  A last side effect to mention may be during the hijama treatment itself, and a person could feel light-headed, kind of like when your blood sugar drops. This could happen for any reason but usually occurs when the person is insufficiently hydrated or hasn’t eaten well that day. A person should avoid strenuous activity, and stick to good food choices and plenty of water. Also known as, ‘healing crisis’

If a healing crisis happens, it happens as a natural consequence of strengthening the body’s own self-healing mechanisms. When the body’s self-healing mechanisms function more effectively, the body’s detox system is also functioning more effectively. If the system is detoxifying faster than it is releasing, there may be a temporary exacerbation of symptoms. This malaise abates as soon as the system catches up to itself, at which point the person feels much better.

After cupping you will probably have a ring-mark, bruise, or skin discoloration for several days (maximum for a week or two). These are signs of toxicity that has risen to the surface for release. As the marks dissipate, the toxicity is leaving you.

Anas ibn Mālik also reported that the Messenger said, "When the weather becomes extremely hot, seek aid in cupping. Do not allow your blood to rage (boil) such that it kills you." (Reported by Hakīm in his 'Mustadrak' and he authenticated it and Imām adh-Dhahābi agreed; 4/212).

Pre & post advise for hijama treatment?

The Therapy Clinic discusses with you the before and aftercare advice which helps with the treatment. We recommend:

·        
It is best to take a shower  before receiving hijama so that the body is cleansed & purified . If you cannot shower, it is important to perform wudu (ablution) prior to having hijama as well.

·         It is not from the Sunnah to have a bath after cupping / hijama and also a person may be harmed such as the wound may become infected. Therefore, bathing should be after the wound has healed a day or two after cupping /hijama.

            Make sure your stomach is empty when you arrive for treatment. ‘Ibn ‘Umar (RA), reported that the Messenger (pbuh), said, "Hijama on an empty stomach is best. It increases the intellect and improves the memory.” (‘Ibn Mājah 3487) Also, it is important to stay hydrated by drinking water before and after the treatment unless you are fasting.

·        
It is good to keep active before hijama but try not to exert yourself more than the body can manage as this will help with blood circulation.

After you have had your treatment done:

·         The patient should make sure he/she can rest if needed. Some people feel very tired and need to take it easy. Others feel energised; but the person should not exert himself even if he feels like this. The patient should not underestimate the treatment and remember to respect the fact that his/her body needs rest in order to replenish and repair.

·         The patient should keep warm; not allow the areas that have been treated to be exposed to the wind, water or cold. This also means no showers or baths for the next 24 hours.

·         The patient should try not to eat red meat and dairy products for the next 24-48 hours. This is because these items take up 40% of your body’s energy to digest, and this energy is needed to rejuvenate the body after having the treatment.

List of illness’s that cupping / hijama can help with.

The Therapy Clinic has cured many illnesses and some ongoing. As part of a treatment, Hijama can help to cure many conditions. Which have varied from mild to chronic conditions.  The conditions that we have helped with are :

- Headaches	- Neck, shoulder and back pain – All muscular conditions
- Hypertension	- Immune system weakness
- Allergies	- Stomach or digestions disorders / pain
- Arthritis	- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Sinus Problems	- Lung inflammation & coughing
- Heart Disease	- Rheumatism
- Sciatica nerve pain	- Cartilage problems
- Abscess	- Nerve inflammation
- Diabetes type 1 & 2	- Larynx and throat inflammation
- Infertility	- Urine problems
- Sleep disorders	- Numbness of the arms or legs
- Thyroid disorders	- All Skin conditions
- Common cold & flue	- Multiple Sclerosis (M.S)
- Cancer	- Kidney inflammation or stones
- Osteoporosis	- Tinnitus (ears)
- Foot pain	- All Joint pain
- Conditions in any part of the head (head, brain, eyes, ears, mouth, nose, etc.)
- Speech difficulties/disorders
- knee joint pain and rheumatic diseases - General wellbeing - Preventative treatment
.....Last but in no way the least, we have helped and currently performing ongoing  treatments for ..... Magic and shaytānic possession related issues.

FEATURED HIJAMA THERAPISTS:
Br Zahid Malik CMA & Bilal Khan 
The Therapy Clinic



PRACTICE LOCATION:
The Therapy Clinic
702 Burnage Lane, 1st Floor,
Manchester,
M19 1NA

CONTACT DETAILS:
Telephone: 0161 432 5131
Email: info@thetherapyclinic.info
Website: www.thetherapyclinic.info

Our thanks to Zahid Malik  for sharing the above post. If you have any questions for them, or if you have a patient of them and want to leave them a testimonial, then please leave a comment* below.

If you are a hijama therapist or patient and are happy to share your knowledge or experience via a guest blog-post like the one above, please send me an email to: hijama.mail@gmail.com.

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