Hijaamah (Cupping) does not affect the validity of Hajj

26/09/2013| IslamWeb

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

Fatwa
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 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 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 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 Allah 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.
Allah Knows best.