Sunnah Days For Hijama Cupping

Hijama is one of the most established forms of prophetic medicine in Islam. But if you have looked into booking a session, you have probably come across the concept of Sunnah days and wondered what they are, how seriously to take them, and whether it actually matters if you miss them.

This article covers what the Sunnah days are, the hadith evidence behind them, the scholarly debate, and what it means practically when you are trying to book a session.

What Are Sunnah Days for Hijama?

Sunnah days refer to specific dates in the Islamic lunar (Hijri) calendar that scholars have identified as recommended for performing Hijama. These are the 17th, 19th and 21st of each Hijri month.

The reasoning comes from a number of hadith in which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recommended these particular days. The most widely cited, authenticated by Sheikh Al-Albani, is:

"If anyone has himself cupped on the 17th, 19th and 21st it will be a remedy for every disease."

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah — Sunan Abi Dawud 3861

Other narrations you may come across include:

"Indeed, the best of remedies you have is cupping (Hijama)."

Narrated by Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) — Sahih al-Bukhari 5371

"Whoever wants to perform cupping (Hijama) then let him search for the 17th, 19th and 21st."

Narrated by Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him) — Sunan Ibn Majah 3486

"I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me: Upon you is cupping (Hijama), O Muhammad."

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) — Sunan Ibn Majah 3477

Are These Hadith Authentic?

This is a fair question, and the honest answer is: most of the hadith specifying the 17th, 19th and 21st are considered weak (da'eef) individually. However, as Ibn Hajar and others noted, when multiple weak narrations converge on the same point, they can collectively provide a basis for action. The hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (Sunan Abi Dawud 3861) was specifically authenticated by Sheikh Al-Albani.

Imam Ibn al-Qayyim addressed this directly in Zad al-Ma'aad, noting that these narrations align with what classical physicians had observed — that cupping performed in the second half of the month, particularly the third quarter, is more beneficial than at the beginning or end. He concluded:

"Choosing the times mentioned above for cupping is an extra precaution, to be on the safe side and to protect one's health, but when it comes to treating disease, whenever it is necessary it should be used."

Ibn al-Qayyim — Zad al-Ma'aad, 4/60

The classical scholars were consistent on one point: Sunnah days are recommended, not obligatory. If you are unwell and need Hijama, you do not wait for the 17th. But if you are booking a routine or wellness session, aligning with the Sunnah days is considered preferable.

When Exactly Do the Sunnah Days Begin?

This catches a lot of people out. In the Islamic calendar, each new day begins at Maghrib (sunset), not midnight. So the 17th of the Hijri month starts at sunset on the evening before the corresponding Gregorian date.

In practical terms, this gives you a 6-day window across the three Sunnah dates. The evening of the 16th through to the end of the 21st covers all three recommended days, including their starts at Maghrib.

We convert the Hijri dates to Gregorian on our dedicated Sunnah Days page, updated monthly. This takes into account the Saudi calendar as a reference point, though local moon sighting may vary. If you follow a different moon sighting method, adjust by one day accordingly.

Does It Matter If You Miss the Sunnah Days?

No. The scholars were clear on this. Hijama is beneficial at any time of the month. The Sunnah days represent an ideal window, not a restriction. As Ibn al-Qayyim wrote, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal himself would have Hijama whenever his blood increased, regardless of the date.

Many of our clients book monthly or every few months based on their schedule. If a Sunnah day lines up, great. If not, you are still receiving a well-established prophetic remedy and the physical benefits remain the same.

What to Expect During a Hijama Session

Every Hijama session at Herts Cupping follows a consistent clinical process in a private, one-to-one setting:

1. Consultation — we discuss your symptoms, goals and medical history and decide which areas to treat.
2. Cup placement — cups are placed on specific points based on your assessment. Suction is adjusted to your comfort level.
3. Wet cupping (Hijama) — small, superficial incisions are made and cups are reapplied to draw out stagnant blood. All equipment is sterile and single-use, disposed of after each session.
4. Aftercare — the treated area is cleaned with antiseptic. You leave with written aftercare guidance and recommendations for your next session.

Sessions are fully private. No shared spaces, no reused equipment.

Hijama Sessions at Herts Cupping

We also offer Recovery Sessions combining deep tissue work, dry cupping and IASTM muscle scraping from £75, for clients who want to address deeper muscular tension alongside Hijama. Learn more about Recovery Sessions.

Check This Month's Sunnah Days

We maintain a dedicated Sunnah Days page with the Gregorian dates for each Hijri month, updated monthly based on the Saudi calendar. Bookmark it to plan your sessions ahead of time.

References

Fath al-Baari by Ibn Hajar, 10/149. Zad al-Ma'aad by Ibn al-Qayyim, 4/60. Al-Mughni by Ibn Qudaamah, 1/184. Sharh al-Zarqaani 'ala al-Muwatta', 2/187.

You can also see a list of authentic narrations about Hijama Cupping here.