04/01/2024
REASONS WHY HIJAMAH SHOULD BE AVOIDED FOR A PATIENT OBSERVING FAST DURING THE MONTH OF RAMADAN…
There is a notion amongst therapists to achieve the ultimate detoxification and what better way than to detoxify the body whilst the patient is practicing a fast. They perform Hijamah perhaps due to not having adequate scientific knowledge on the physiological changes that occur whilst a patient fasts. Or they simply think they may achieve the epitome of ultimate cleansing of the body “double whammy” in relation to purifying it.
Before taking a look at that biological effects of Hijamah on a fasting person. Let us take a brief look at historical cases recorded in Islamic doctrines in the form of Ahadith.
Below are a few hadith that state the consequence of practicing Hijamah whilst fasting.
The cupper and the one to whom cupping is done both break their fast; they have to refrain from eating etc for the rest of that day, and they have to make up that day later on, because the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The cupper and the one to whom cupping is done both break their fast.”
Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2367; Ibn Maajah, 1676. Abi Dawood, 2074.
Abdullah ibn Abbas r.a reported that the Messenger s.a.w was cupped while he was fasting. [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (5694)].
Anas ibn Maalik r.a was asked: "Did you dislike cupping for the fasting person?" He said, "No except for the reason of one becoming weak." [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (1940)].
There are many Hadiths proving that cupping invalidates the fast of the one who performs it and whoever gets it done. However, other Hadiths state that the Prophet Pbuh was cupped while he was fasting. Consequently, the scholars disagreed on whether cupping is permissible for a fasting person or not. The majority of them are of the opinion that it is, and that the Hadiths that run contrary to that are abrogated by those narrations that indicate its permissibility.
This opinion was supported by Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, Ibn Mas‘ood and Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with them, in addition to ‘Urwah and Sa‘eed ibn Jubayr. Likewise, this view is held by the three Imaams: Maalik, Abu Haneefah and Ash-Shaafi‘i .
On the other hand, Imaam Ahmad opinioned that cupping invalidates the fast; this was the stance taken by Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his disciple Ibn Al-Qayyim . The Permanent Committee for Research and Iftaa’ (issuance of religious rulings) in Saudi Arabia and the majority of Saudi scholars also chose this opinion [as theirs]. Hence, it is better for the fasting person to avoid cupping, to be on the safe side.
The Hadith of Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, proves that cupping weakens the fasting person and was thus forbidden. This is one of the merits of Sharee‘ah (Islamic jurisprudence), that it relieves people from difficulties and protects them against harms.
The rationale behind the invalidation of the fast of the person who is cupped is that the procedure drains him. As for the one who does cupping, his fast is annulled too, because he may swallow some blood [during the process]. However, if one does cupping using modern equipment, rather than his mouth, then the procedure does not render his fast null and void.
The ruling on cupping also applies to phlebotomy and making incisions; however, the fast of the phlebotomist remains.
Now considering the opinions of the scholars. We will now consider the scientific evidence based on the physiological effects that take place in the body whilst the duration of a fast.
We do not perform Hijamah Whilst the person is fasting...
On a scientific basis...We must understand the physiology of what happens to the body whilst we fast...The blood sugar levels are depleted ..so the body turns to the liver which starts to breakdown the fats in our bodies mainly from the muscles.
The liver plays a central role in all metabolic processes in the body. In fat metabolism the liver cells break down fats and produce energy. ... If someone's blood sugar levels are too low, the liver breaks down glycogen and releases sugar into the blood.
During the process of Hijamah...We further remove more sugar in the already depleted body, than what is being produced due to the breakdown of these muscles, eventually weakening the patient as they become hypoglycemic ..
The following symptoms can be observed in the patient being cupped....also known as Fasting Glycaemia:-
Shakiness.
Dizziness.
Sweating.
Hunger.
Irritability or moodiness.
Anxiety or nervousness.
Headache.......
For the reasons outlined above we would be going against the protocols hijamah....Whereby there could be more harm to the patient than benefit..In the long term these can manifest into other serious long term illnesses and the symptoms may include inability to concentrate, restless sleep, lack of energy and frequent headaches.
By no means am i a scholar,,but what i am familiar with is that Islam disqualifies anything that would cause harm to yourself or any other living thing for that matter and should be avoided or disregarded at any cost.
Again it should be understood that not every patient would be subjected to the symptoms outline above and taking all this into account, ultimately the final sentiment rests with both the therapist and the patient, although it is the therapist who has the duty to inform their patient of the possible consequences or outcome of this therapy in relation to the state of their body is in during their time of observing fast.
Then Allah knows best!
