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Hijaamah (Cupping) does not affect the validity of Hajj

Question

What is the preponderant opinion concerning the effect of Hijaamah (cupping) on Ihram?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

Hijaamah (cupping) means making an incision to a part of the body like the back and drawing blood from it either by the mouth or a tool like a cup as a means of medication.

Seeking remedy through cupping is recommended as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If there is any healing in your medicines, then it is in the incision of cupping, a gulp of honey or branding with fire (cauterization) that suits the ailment, but I do not like to be (cauterized) branded with fire.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] He also said: “The best medicine you may treat yourselves with is cupping.” [Al-Bukhari and Ahmad]

Cupping does not contradict or affect Ihraam as Al-Bukhari, Muslim, An-Nasaa’i, Abu Daawood, Al-Haakim and Maalik narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had cupping while he was in a state of Ihraam. If one needs to shave some hair, this is permissible for him and he is liable to a ransom. This is based on the verse in which Allaah Almighty says (what means): {And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice.} [Quran 2: 196] If he does this without an excuse, then he is sinful and liable to a ransom.

Allaah Knows best.

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