Question:

Good day

I’m 35 years old. I finish diploma in pharmacist. And I have finished bachelors degree in nursing. I have more than 10 years experience in medical field, nowadays I want to learn and practice hijama (cupping) in my city.

But I want to learn it online video and lecture then practice it and work on it. Is there any forbidden or haram in this.

Many thanks

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

It is indeed encouraging to hear that Allah Taʿāla has instilled within you an desire of helping fellow humans through their medical need. May Allah accept your intentions and open the doors of success for you, Amīn

First and foremost, Hijāmā (cupping) is one the best form of medications as mentioned by Rasūlullah ﷺ:

إن أمثل ما تداويتم به الحجامة، والقسط البحري

Indeed one the best ways you treat (medicine) is through cupping
and Qust al Bahrī (essence of a herb for throat illness) (Sahīh al Bukhārī #5696)

Similarly Rasūlullah ﷺ attested that there is indeed cure in cupping.

إن فيه شفاء

Indeed there is cure in it (cupping) (Sahīh al Bukhārī #5697)

However, while we confirm and attest to the above, we need to keep in mind that cupping is one of many forms of medicine. It is not a mere case of enjoyment. Whoever gets cupping done has to be medically suitable should follow medical guidelines of the experts. It is for this reason, you are correct in assuming that you need to learn this medical practice before practicing upon other people.

As a practitioner, you have a moral and sharʿī duty to maintain the best of standards of the service you provide. Just as you spent years in learning other medical care, this expertise cannot be attained without a professional mentor. In most places if you engage in treating people without a sound and valid medical experience under the guidance of a mentor, you could be legally held responsible. This is aside the point that you will be questioned about endangering fellow humans in the court of Allah as well.

It is thus my sincere advice that you find a mentor and spend time under his tutelage for this particular method of medicine. Gain expertise in it. Since I am not an expert of this domain, all I can advise is that seek medical expertise as well as religious counseling from a religious practitioner of cupping to know how and when to administer cupping.

Once again, May Allah accept your intention and make all your hurdles easy for you, Amīn.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hameed al-Mahmudi
www.fatwa.ca