Does cupping break the fast?

Some scholars of Islamic jurisprudence have put forward different views on this issue. Concerns have been raised that it may cause fluid loss in the body, that this loss may weaken the fasting person and that it may cause the fasting person to lose energy. According to some scholars, since cupping causes a discharge in the body, it may negatively affect the physical and mental state of the fasting person, and therefore cupping may be considered a procedure that breaks the fast. This view is less common and does not contradict the statements of the Directorate of Religious Affairs.

ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTORATE OF RELIGIOUS RESOURCES, DOES CUPPING BREAK THE FAST?

Islamic scholars have put forward different views on whether donating blood while fasting breaks the fast. There are basically two opposing narrations on this issue. According to the first narration, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “The fast of the one who administers cupping and the one who has it done is broken.” This hadith has been taken as a basis especially in the Hanbali school of thought, and a view has emerged that it breaks the fast. Based on this hadith, Hanbali scholars have argued that cupping will harm the fast and therefore should be avoided.

There is another narration on this subject. In another hadith reported by Bukhari and Abu Dawud, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) was cupped while he was fasting (Bukhari Sawm 32; Abu Dawud Sawm 29). Based on this hadith, the Hanafi, Shafi'i and Maliki schools of thought have accepted that cupping does not break the fast. According to them, the main elements that break the fast are taking something from the body, that is, eating or drinking or taking food supplements. Donating blood is the removal of something from the body and this does not break the fast.

Most scholars have stated that the breaking of the fast is not considered as a definite rule but as a warning. This interpretation takes into account the possibility that the person performing cupping may accidentally get blood in his mouth while sucking the blood with a special tool and that the person receiving it may become weak and not be able to continue fasting. In other words, the purpose of the hadith is not to say that cupping itself breaks the fast but to express that this situation carries risks for a fasting person.

In this context, many Islamic scholars, including the current Presidency of Religious Affairs, have adopted the view that donating blood does not break the fast. However, it has been stated that if a person experiences extreme weakness as a result of donating blood and therefore cannot continue fasting, then there may be a license to break the fast. Accordingly, if a person's health is at risk or if they experience extreme loss of strength, it is recommended that they postpone donating blood to a time after Ramadan.

On the other hand, research on whether cupping breaks the fast and statements from religious authorities agree that cupping does not directly affect fasting. The Directorate of Religious Affairs also adopts this view. There are also some points to consider so that cupping does not harm the fast. For example, it is important that blood loss during cupping is not excessive, does not make the person weak, and does not put the fasting person's health at risk. In these cases, it is recommended that people who receive cupping rest after the procedure and maintain their body balance.

DIFFERENCES ACCORDING TO SECTS

There are various opinions from different sects on whether cupping while fasting breaks the fast. According to the Hanafi school of thought, it does not break the fast. Because in order for the fast to be broken, something from outside must enter the body or an act must be committed that violates the basic conditions of the fast. Cupping, on the other hand, is the process of taking blood from the body and since no external substance enters the person's body, it does not harm the fast according to Hanafi jurisprudence. However, it has been stated that it can weaken the person's body and therefore it is not recommended to have it done while fasting.

The Shafi'i school of thought has a similar view to the Hanafi school of thought. According to Shafi'i scholars, cupping does not break the fast. There is an important detail here: If a person swallows blood during cupping or intentionally takes it in, then the fast is broken. Since any substance that enters the body in the Shafi'i school of thought can break the fast, care should be taken not to take anything orally during cupping. Apart from this, simply taking blood from the body does not harm the fast.

The Maliki school of thought shares a similar view with the Hanafi and Shafi'i schools of thought. According to the Malikis, cupping does not break the fast. Because the main elements that break the fast are actions such as eating, drinking and sexual intercourse. Cupping is an independent procedure and does not break the fast unless something from outside enters the body. According to the Maliki school of thought, a person should be careful about their health while having cupping. If there is excessive blood loss due to cupping and the person feels bad, it may be difficult to continue fasting. In such a case, it may be permissible to break the fast, but cupping alone does not break the fast.

In the Hanbali school of thought, the issue is handled a little differently. Based on a hadith of our Prophet (pbuh), Hanbali scholars have argued that the fast of the person who receives cupping and the person who receives it is broken. Since the hadith includes the phrase, “The fast of the person who receives it and the person who receives it is broken.”, the Hanbali school of thought has an understanding that accepts that cupping breaks the fast. According to this school of thought, it is thought that the blood taken from the body during cupping can change the body’s balance enough to break the fast. Today, some Hanbali scholars may make different interpretations on this issue by taking into account the views of other schools of thought that cupping does not break the fast.