A warm-toned photo depicts cupping (hijamah) therapy equipment, consisting of a cupping cup and a pump, on a wooden table, next to an open antique book inscribed in Arabic script. In the background is a wall calendar with the Hijri dates 17, 19, and 21 circled in red, along with a bowl of dried herbs.
A visual composition depicting the practice of thibbun nabawi. The open book symbolizes the foundation of the evidence for cupping, while the calendar in the background specifically highlights the sunnah dates (17, 19, and 21 Hijri) that are the primary times for this therapy.

Best Times for Hijam: Sunnah Dates & Prohibited Days (Nayl al-Awtar)

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Have you ever felt hesitant when wanting to schedule a cupping therapy session? Perhaps you’ve heard rumors that cupping on certain days can bring bad luck or even worsen an illness. Or maybe you are looking for the most suitable date so that the health benefits obtained can be maximized.

Cupping, or hijamah, is not merely a traditional treatment, but also a highly recommended practice (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad ο·Ί . However, the topic regarding the selection of “time” is often confusing. Some say Tuesday is dangerous, others say Wednesday can cause skin diseases. So, which is correct?

In this article, we will thoroughly dissect this issue based on references from hadith books and reliable Fiqh texts such as Nayl al-Awtar and Tuhfat al-Ahwadzi. We will examine what is merely myth, what has a basis in evidence, and what the opinions of classical doctors are.

The Mystery of the Tuesday Hijama Prohibition: Is it Truly a Yawm al-Dam (Day of Blood)?

One of the most hotly debated topics among enthusiasts of Tibb al-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine) is the prohibition of cupping therapy on Tuesdays. Why is this day considered specialβ€”in a negative senseβ€”for bloodletting?

In the book Nayl al-Awtar, there is a narration explaining the reason behind this fear. It is mentioned that Tuesday has a chilling nickname: Yaum ad-Dam or the Day of Blood.

Let us look at the original text:

ΩˆΩŽΨΉΩŽΩ†Ω’ أبي Ψ¨ΩŽΩƒΩ’Ψ±ΩŽΨ©ΩŽ: Ψ£Ω†ΩŽΩ‘Ω‡Ω ΩƒΨ§Ω†ΩŽ ΩŠΩŽΩ†Ω’Ω‡ΩŽΩ‰ Ψ£Ω‡Ω’Ω„ΩŽΩ‡Ω ΨΉΩŽΩ†Ω Ψ§Ω„Ψ­Ψ¬Ψ§Ω…ΩŽΨ©Ω ΩŠΩŽΩˆΩ’Ω…ΩŽ الثُّلاثاِؑ ΩˆΩŽΩŠΩŽΨ²Ω’ΨΉΩΩ…Ω ΨΉΩŽΩ†Ω’ Ψ±ΩŽΨ³ΩΩˆΩ„Ω Ψ§Ω„Ω„Ω‡ Ψ΅Ω„Ω‰ Ψ§Ω„Ω„Ω‡ ΨΉΩ„ΩŠΩ‡ ΩˆΨ³Ω„Ω… Ψ£Ω† ΩŠΩŽΩˆΩ’Ω…ΩŽ Ψ§Ω„Ψ«ΩΩ‘Ω„Ψ§Ψ«ΩŽΨ§Ψ‘Ω ΩŠΩŽΩˆΩ’Ω…Ω Ψ§Ω„Ψ―ΩŽΩ‘Ω…ΩΨŒ ΩˆΩŽΩΩΩŠΩ‡ ساعَةٌ Ω„Ψ§ ΩŠΩŽΨ±Ω’Ω‚Ψ£

Its meaning is approximately: β€œFrom Abu Bakrah: That he forbade his family from performing cupping on Tuesday, and he claimed from the Messenger of Allah ο·Ί that Tuesday is the ‘Day of Blood’, and within it there is a time when blood does not want to stop.” (Reported by Abu Dawud).

What is the Meaning?

The scholars in the book At-Taisir Syarah Al-Jami’ As-Saghir explain that the term “blood does not want to stop” (la yarqa’) is similar to a medical condition where blood has difficulty clotting. There is a specific moment on Tuesday, a specific hour which remains unknown, and if we injure the body (such as by cutting the skin during cupping) precisely at that time, severe bleeding can occur.

This is why some scholars choose the safe path or ihtiyath. Although the status of this hadith is considered dhaif (weak) by some hadith experts, this warning is still heeded as a form of vigilance against health risks.

Beware of Wednesdays and Saturdays

Besides Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are also often included on the “red light” list for practitioners of cupping. The warnings sound even more frightening as they are associated with skin diseases that are difficult to cure, such as leprosy or vitiligo.

Consider the following narration from Az-Zuhri:

ΩˆΩŽΨ±ΩŽΩˆΩŽΩ‰ Ψ§Ω„Ψ²ΩΩ‘Ω‡Ω’Ψ±ΩΩŠΩΩ‘ Ψ£Ω† Ψ§Ω„Ω†ΩŽΩ‘Ψ¨ΩŠΩŽΩ‘ Ψ΅Ω„Ω‰ Ψ§Ω„Ω„Ω‡ ΨΉΩ„ΩŠΩ‡ ΩˆΨ³Ω„Ω… Ω‚Ψ§Ω„ΩŽ: “Ω…ΩŽΩ†Ω Ψ§Ψ­Ω’ΨͺΩŽΨ¬ΩŽΩ…ΩŽ ΩŠΩŽΩˆΩ’Ω…ΩŽ Ψ§Ω„Ψ³ΩŽΩ‘Ψ¨Ω’Ψͺِ Ψ£ΩˆΩ’ ΩŠΩŽΩˆΩ’Ω…ΩŽ الأرْبِعاِؑ ΩΨ£Ψ΅ΩŽΨ§Ψ¨ΩŽΩ‡Ω وَآَحٌ ΩΩŽΩ„Ψ§ ΩŠΩŽΩ„ΩΩˆΩ…ΩŽΩ†ΩŽΩ‘ Ψ₯Ω„ΩŽΩ‘Ψ§ Ω†ΩŽΩΩ’Ψ³ΩŽΩ‡Ω”

Meaning: β€œWhoever performs cupping on Saturday or Wednesday, and then is afflicted with the disease of Wadhah (leprosy/vitiligo), should not blame anyone but himself.”

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, a towering figure within the Hanbali school of thought, strongly upheld this warning. It is reported that he disliked cupping on Wednesdays. In fact, there is a well-known story about someone who recklessly underwent cupping on a Wednesday, dismissing this hadith, and subsequently developed a skin disease.

Although this hadith is classified as Mursal (its chain of narration is broken because Az-Zuhri directly attributes it to the Prophet without mentioning a Companion), many senior scholars use it as a basis for caution. Therefore, if there is no urgent need, avoiding Wednesdays and Saturdays is a wise step.

Golden Dates: When is the Best Time to Perform Hijama?

Gambar ilustrasi dengan teks judul besar 'TANGGAL EMAS: Kapan Waktu Terbaik Melakukan Bekam?'. Menampilkan kalender meja dengan tanggal 17, 19, dan 21 dilingkari warna emas, tiga gelas alat bekam, jam pasir, dan koin emas di atas meja kayu dengan pencahayaan hangat dari jendela.
Illustration of “Golden Dates” for cupping therapy. Based on classical medical references and the Sunnah, the middle of the Hijri monthβ€”specifically the 17th, 19th, and 21st (circled on the calendar)β€”is considered the most optimal time for body detoxification.

If the above days should be avoided, then when is the best time? Scholars and physicians agree that the most ideal time is the middle of the Hijri month, precisely after the full moon phase begins to wane.

The often-mentioned “golden” dates are 17th, 19th, and 21st of the Hijri month.

In Tuhfat al-Ahwadzi, a hadith is mentioned:

Ω…ΩŽΩ†Ω Ψ§Ψ­Ω’ΨͺΩŽΨ¬ΩŽΩ…ΩŽ Ω„ΩΨ³ΩŽΨ¨Ω’ΨΉΩŽ ΨΉΩŽΨ΄Ω’Ψ±ΩŽΨ©ΩŽ وَΨͺΩΨ³Ω’ΨΉΩŽ ΨΉΩŽΨ΄Ω’Ψ±ΩŽΨ©ΩŽ وَΨ₯ΩΨ­Ω’Ψ―ΩŽΩ‰ ΩˆΩŽΨΉΩΨ΄Ω’Ψ±ΩΩŠΩ†ΩŽ ΩƒΩŽΨ§Ω†ΩŽ Ψ΄ΩΩΩŽΨ§Ψ‘Ω‹ مِنْ كُلِّ دَاٍؑ

Meaning: β€œWhoever performs cupping therapy on the 17th, 19th, and 21st, it is a cure for all illnesses.” (Reported by Abu Dawud).

Classical Medical Explanation

Why these dates specifically? Al-Muwaffaq Al-Baghdadi provides an interesting medical analysis. According to him, at the beginning of the month, bodily fluids (humors/akhlat) are in a state of great turmoil. Whereas at the end of the month, bodily fluids are too calm and settled.

Well, the middle of the month (slightly past the 15th) is the perfect moment. The blood condition is mature and ready to be released. This is why cupping on the 17th, 19th, or 21st is considered most effective for detoxification and balancing the body’s systems.

What If Tuesday Falls on the 17th?

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This is a clever question. We have a prohibition on Tuesdays, but we also have a recommendation for the 17th. Which takes precedence?

Scholars like Ishaq bin Rahawaih offered an elegant solution. He disliked cupping therapy on Tuesdays, EXCEPT if the Tuesday coincided with the 17th, 19th, or 21st of the month. If these moments aligned, the recommendation of the sunnah dates “overruled” the prohibition of the day. There is even a narration (though weak) stating that cupping on Tuesday the 17th could be a remedy for a year.

Cupping Therapy in Emergency Situations: Are the Rules Permissible to Be Broken?

Note for health enthusiasts: all the day and date rules above apply to optional conditions (by choice). This means, if you are healthy and simply want to maintain fitness, please choose the 17th, 19th, or 21st that falls on a Monday or Thursday.

But, what if you suddenly experience a severe headache, a flare-up of high blood pressure, or poisoning on Wednesday night? Must you wait until next week?

Certainly not. Imam Bukhari and Imam Ahmad offered a reassuring perspective.

The commentary mentions:

ΩƒΩŽΨ§Ω†ΩŽ Ψ£ΩŽΨ­Ω’Ω…ΩŽΨ―Ω ΩŠΩŽΨ­Ω’ΨͺΩŽΨ¬ΩΩ…Ω Ψ£ΩŽΩŠΩŽΩ‘ ΩˆΩŽΩ‚Ω’Ψͺٍ Ω‡ΩŽΨ§Ψ¬ΩŽ بِهِ Ψ§Ω„Ψ―ΩŽΩ‘Ω…Ω ΩˆΩŽΨ£ΩŽΩŠΩŽΩ‘ سَاعَةٍ ΩƒΩŽΨ§Ω†ΩŽΨͺΩ’

Meaning: β€œImam Ahmad used to practice cupping whenever his blood surged, and at whatever hour it was.”

When there is an urgent medical need (hajah), all time restrictions are waived. You may perform cupping in the morning, afternoon, evening, on Wednesday, or even Saturday. Health and the safety of life are the primary priorities in Islam.

Practical Tips Before Cupping Therapy

To get the most benefit and avoid side effects, please heed these concise tips from the book Tuhfat al-Ahwadzi:

  1. Choose the Morning: The most excellent time is the second or third hour after sunrise (around 8-10 am).
  2. Stomach Condition: Do not cup when too full. Ensure you have a light meal 2-3 hours prior.
  3. Avoid Strenuous Activities: Do not perform cupping immediately after a hot bath, sexual intercourse, or strenuous exercise. The body needs to be in a stable condition.
  4. Check the Hijri Calendar: Mark the 17th, 19th, and 21st of each month.

Key Points

Choosing the right time for cupping therapy does require a little precision, but the goal is good: to achieve maximum healing and the blessings of the Sunnah.

In summary, here’s a simple guide:

  • Primary Priorities: The 17th, 19th, and 21st dates of the Hijri month.
  • Day of Choice: Monday and Thursday.
  • Days to Avoid (As a Precaution): Wednesday and Saturday (due to the risk of skin diseases), as well as Tuesday (risk of bleeding).
  • Exception: If suddenly ill, forget the calendar. Immediately perform cupping therapy at any time.

Hopefully, this explanation is enlightening and makes you more confident when you want to undergo cupping therapy. Health is expensive, but following the Sunnah with correct knowledge is far more valuable. Live a healthy life!

FAQ (Questions Regarding the Best Time for Hijama)

What is the best time to perform cupping (hijama)?

The best time for cupping is in the middle of the Hijri month, specifically on the 17th, 19th, and 21st, especially if those dates fall on a Monday or Thursday. Medically, this is when the blood condition is most stable for detoxification.

Why is cupping prohibited on Tuesdays?

In the book Nayl al-Awtar, Tuesday is referred to as the ‘Day of Blood’ (Yaum ad-Dam). There is a narration stating that there is a time on Tuesday when blood is difficult to stop (difficult to coagulate), so some scholars advise avoiding it as a precaution.

Is it permissible to perform cupping therapy on Wednesday?

Some scholars, such as Imam Ahmad, dislike cupping on Wednesdays due to a hadith (though mursal) linking it to the risk of skin diseases (wadhah/leprosy). However, if there is a medical emergency, cupping is permissible at any time, including on Wednesdays.

MuαΈ₯ammad ΚΏAbd al-RaαΈ₯mān al-MubārakfΕ«rΔ«, TuαΈ₯fat al-AαΈ₯wadhΔ« bi-SharαΈ₯ JāmiΚΏ al-TirmidhΔ« (Beirut: Dār al-Kutub al-ΚΏIlmiyyah, n.d.), 6:175.

ΚΏAbd al-RaΚΎΕ«f al-MunāwΔ«, Al-TaysΔ«r bi-SharαΈ₯ al-JāmiΚΏ al-αΉ’aghΔ«r, 3rd ed. (Riyadh: Maktabat al-Imām al-ShāfiΚΏΔ«, 1988), 1:354.

Muhammad bin β€˜Ali al-Syaukani, Nail al-Awṭār min Asrār Muntaqā al-Akhbār, tahqiq Muhammad αΉ’ubαΈ₯Δ« bin αΈ€asan αΈ€allāq (Riyadh: Dar Ibn al-Jauzi, 1427 AH), vol. 15, p. 276.

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