Hijaamah while Fasting (Hadith No. 1654 – 1656)

Bismillah.

Ramadan’s gone but Kitaab-us-Siyaam (Book of Fasting) continues. :)

Volume 3, Book 31, Number 159:

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):

The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was cupped while he was in the state of lhram, and also while he was observing a fast.

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Volume 3, Book 31, Number 160:

Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas (radiallaahu `anhu):

The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) was cupped while he was fasting.

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Volume 3, Book 31, Number 161:

Narrated Thabit Al-Bunani:

Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu) was asked whether they disliked the cupping for a fasting person. He replied in the negative and said, “Only if it causes weakness.”

There is a lot of debate among scholars on this subject. Before we get into that, there’s something that we need to understand.
The things that break the fast do not break it unless three conditions are met:

1. he (the fasting person) should know the ruling
2. he should not have forgotten that he is fasting
3. he should be doing that by choice.

Moving on to the issue of Hijaamah while fasting, there are two major opinions:

1. 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 (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. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 2074.

2. Cupping/Hijaamah does not break the fast because it has to do with the extraction of blood and not swallowing it. And since the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) did get it done while fasting, it’s permissible to do so now as well.

Both these opinions are further debated upon, and it’s not necessary to get into that. For people like you and I, it’s better to avoid things that are doubtful. So if I had to get Hijaamah done, I’d choose a day when I’m not fasting in order to avoid all sorts of doubts and confusions. Simple.

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