Question

I have heard that the Hadith regarding prohibition of cupping on a Wednesday is weak. Is this true and is cupping harmful on Wednesday?

 

Answer

What you have heard is indeed correct. The Hadith Masters have judged the famous narration which discourages cupping on a Wednesday as weak.

[The Hadith states that one who cups on a Wednesday or Saturday will suffer from leprosy- Musnad Bazzar, Hadith: 7800, 7807 and others)

 

However despite that, the very senior Muhaddithun, like Imams ‘Ali Ibn Madini and Ahmad ibn Hambal (rahimahumallah) have encouraged that one abide by this narration, since there were several individuals in History who tried cupping on a Wednesday and suffered thereafter with the disease of leprosy (just as the Hadith warned).

(Refer to Zadul Ma’ad, vol.4 pg.55-56, Fathul Bari, hadith: 5694 and Hukmul ‘amali bil Hadithid Da’if, of Shaykh ‘Awwamah, pg. 38 with the footnotes)

 

Therefore, as a precaution, one should try and avoid cupping on a Wednesday or Saturday.

 

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

 

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar