This is one of the most common questions we receive during Ramadan. The short answer is: there is a genuine difference of scholarly opinion on this, and we recommend consulting your local imam or a scholar you trust before booking during a fast. For health and safety reasons, we do not perform Hijama on someone who is currently fasting, regardless of your personal ruling on the matter.
Below we have summarised both opinions based on the available evidences, so you can make an informed decision.
Opinion 1: Hijama Invalidates the Fast
According to Imam Ahmad, Ishaq and a number of Hadith scholars, Hijama (cupping) invalidates the fast. This is also the opinion of some of the Sahaba and the Taabi'een, who held the view that the fast of both the cupper and the person being cupped is rendered invalid.
Their primary evidence is the hadith of Thawban, in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The cupper and the cupped have broken the fast."
This is supported by the hadith of Shaddad ibn Aws:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ came across a man in Al-Baqi' on the 18th day of Ramadan and said: 'The cupper and the cupped have broken the fast.'"
Similar narrations were reported by Rafi' ibn Khudayj, Abu Hurairah (ra) and Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari. These are recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Sunan an-Nasa'i, with sound chains of transmission as noted by Imam an-Nawawi in Al-Majmu' (6/349-350) and Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari (5/79).
"There are those among the Companions of the Prophet and others who disliked cupping for the fasting person... among them Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari and Ibn Umar, and this is also the view of Ibn al-Mubarak."
Tirmidhi (774)
Opinion 2: Hijama Does Not Invalidate the Fast
The second opinion holds that cupping does not invalidate the fast, on the basis that the earlier hadith were abrogated by later narrations.
Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet ﷺ was cupped while in the state of Ihram and also while observing a fast:
[Sahih al-Bukhari, 1938, 1939, 5694, 5698, 5700]
Thabit al-Bunani narrated that Anas ibn Malik was asked whether they disliked cupping for a fasting person. He replied in the negative and said: "Only if it causes weakness." [Sahih al-Bukhari, 1940]
Scholars who hold this opinion argue that the narrations permitting Hijama during a fast came later and supersede the earlier prohibition. This is the position adopted by Imam al-Shafi'i and others.
For a more detailed breakdown, see this answer on IslamQA regarding Hijama during fasting.
Our Recommendation
Because there is a genuine difference of scholarly opinion, we strongly recommend consulting your local imam or a scholar you trust before making a decision. Do not rely solely on this article. Undertake your own research or seek qualified Islamic guidance.
From a health and safety standpoint, we do not perform Hijama on someone who is actively fasting. The risk of dizziness, fainting or adverse reaction is significantly higher in a fasted state. If something were to go wrong during the session, it could compromise both your safety and your fast. We take this seriously and it is a firm policy at our clinic.
If you want to receive Hijama during Ramadan, we recommend booking a session either before Fajr (if eating suhoor) or after Iftar, allowing at least two hours after eating before your appointment. This is both the safer option and, for many scholars, the more cautious religious position.
Book a Hijama Session in St Albans
We offer Hijama sessions in St Albans throughout Ramadan and year-round. Sessions are available 7 days a week. If you have questions about timing your session around your fast, message us on WhatsApp before booking and we will advise you.
