The Best Days for Cupping Therapy | When Should You Do It? And What’s the Difference Between Preventive and Therapeutic Cupping?
Discover the best days for cupping therapy according to the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, and what science says about the link between a full moon and increased blood pressure.
When should you perform preventive cupping? And when should it be done immediately for treatment?
The Best Days for Cupping Therapy in the Light of the Sunnah and Modern Science
Cupping therapy is one of the most prominent Prophetic and alternative medical practices still in use today.
But the question that always comes up is:
What is the best time to perform cupping therapy? And should we strictly stick to certain days?
In this article, we explain the best days for preventive cupping according to the Sunnah, and highlight the cases that require immediate cupping without waiting, based on modern medical and scientific understanding.
The Best Days for Cupping Therapy in the Sunnah (Preventive Cupping)
Several hadiths from the Prophet ﷺ specify the best days for cupping, including:
❝ The best times to perform cupping are on the 17th, 19th, and 21st ❞ – Narrated by Abu Dawood and authenticated by Al-Albani.
These days are calculated according to the lunar (Hijri) calendar, not the Gregorian calendar, and were recommended by the Prophet ﷺ as a preventive measure.
The Medical Wisdom: Why These Specific Days?
Several studies indicate that the middle days of the lunar month (13th–21st Hijri) coincide with the full moon phase, during which the following are observed:
Increase in systemic blood pressure.
Higher blood viscosity.
Capillary dilation.
Increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system (linked to stress and anxiety).
Medically, this means the blood is denser during these days, making cupping more effective in removing stagnant blood and reducing internal pressure — a phenomenon scientifically known as “blood boiling” during the full moon.
When Should Cupping Be Done Immediately Without Waiting for Preferred Days? (Therapeutic Cupping)
Despite the virtue of the Sunnah days, the Prophet ﷺ himself performed cupping at urgent times, such as:
“He had cupping done on his head while in a state of Ihram due to a pain he was suffering from” – Narrated by Al-Bukhari.
“He had cupping done on his leg due to a sprain he had” – Narrated by Ahmad.
The message is clear: if there is a medical need (such as pain, injury, high blood pressure, or a slipped disc), there is no requirement to wait for specific days.
Summary
Best days for preventive cupping: 17th, 19th, 21st Hijri.
Therapeutic cupping should be done immediately when needed, without waiting for specific days.
The Sunnah and modern science are in harmony on this matter.
Choose a licensed medical center and seek professional advice before deciding the type of cupping suitable for you.
