Abdul Razzaq al-Badr said,
Cupping is a medical treatment that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had administered upon himself many times and he paid the cupper for it. He also encouraged it and stated that it is a cure. Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said “Healing is in three things: in the incision of the cupper, in drinking honey, and in cauterizing with fire, but I forbid my Ummah (nation) from cauterization (branding with fire).”[418]
360. Anas ibn Mālik was asked about the ruling on the income of the cupper. He said: “The Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) had the treatment of cupping administered upon him by Abū Taybah. In return, he (peace be upon him) gave Abū Taybah two sā’ of food, and interceded on his behalf with his masters that the stipulated labour tax imposed upon him be reduced. He also said, ‘Indeed the best of treatments is cupping.’” [419]
Abdul Rahman al-Mubarakfūrī said,
This hadīth shows that it is allowed to charge fees for medical treatment and it is recommended to intercede for people so that the person receiving the request reduces some of their rights and becomes easy with others in this regard. It shows that it is permissible for the master to let his slave work independently in return of a fixed payment with the rest of the earnings going to the slave.
The scholars differed on the ruling of the income of the cupper, the majority stated that it is lawful as stated by al-Hafith ibn Hajar.
361. Alī ibn Abī Tālib narrated: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) had the treatment of cupping administered upon him and ordered me to pay the cupper his fees, so I did.” [420]
Alī al-Qārī said,
Ibn al-Jawzī mentioned that the Prophet (peace be upon him) disliked the income of cuppers because cupping is from the things that Muslims ought to offer for free when it is required by fellow Muslims.
362. ‘Abdullāh ibn Abbās narrated: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) had the treatment of cupping administered on both sides of his neck and the top area between his shoulders, and paid the cupper his fees. Had it been forbidden to charge fees for cupping, he would have not paid it.” [421]
Alī al-Qārī said,
It is proven in many hadīths that he had cupping administered on different parts of his body depending on the treatment needed on each occasion. The majority of scholars relied on this hadīth amongst others to state that the income of cuppers is lawful.
363. ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar narrated: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) requested a cupper to treat him. After he finished, he (peace be upon him) inquired from him regarding the amount of labour tax he paid his master. The cupper replied, ‘Three sā.’ So he (peace be upon him) had it reduced to two sā’, and gave him his remuneration.” [422]
Ibn Hajar al-Haytamī said,
The name of the cupper mentioned in this hadīth is said to be Abū Taybah as mentioned in the previous hadīth.
364. Anas ibn Mālik narrated: “The Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) used to have the treatment of cupping administered upon both sides of his neck and between the two shoulders. He used to take this treatment on the seventeenth, nineteenth or the twenty first of the lunar month.” [423]
Ibn Muflih said,
The reason why the Prophet (peace be upon him) cupped the top area between the shoulders is because this is the closest area to the heart which can be cupped.
Ibn al-Qayyim said,
The administration of cupping on both sides of the neck can treat sicknesses related to the head and its parts such as the face, teeth, ears, eyes, nose and throat if the sickness is due to excessive or corrupted blood.
‘Abdullāh ibn Sa’īd said,
The companions used to follow his example in choosing the time for cupping as they liked doing it on the odd nights of the month. This is due to the virtue of odd numbers as Allāh loves odd numbers. The best day to have cupping administered is on a Monday if it coincides with the seventeenth, nineteenth or twenty first of the month.
365. Anas bin Mālik narrated: “The Messenger of Allāh (peace be upon him) had cupping administered upon the top of his foot at a place called Malal whilst he was in the state of ihrām.” [424]
Ibn Hajar al-Haytamī said,
Malal is a place between Makkah and Madīnah. It is about seventeen miles away from Madīnah.
It is allowed to administer cupping whilst a person is still in the state of ihrām if the treatment does not include removing hair; otherwise it is considered to be forbidden unless there is a necessity and in such a case the person is required to slaughter a sacrifice as expiation.