As is discussed above, Hijamah is not without its risks, and it is not for everybody to undertake. The Hajjaam must see that the patient is fit for Hijamah and must know how to adapt the procedure based on the constitution of the patient and their current state of health. This is also borne out by the hadith: Jabir bin Abdullaah (RA) relates that he heard Rasulullaah (SAW) saying: "If there is any good in your treatments it is in the blade of the Hajjaam, a drink of honey or branding by fire (cauterisation/ moxibustion), whichever suits the ailment, and I do not like to be cauterized" (Bukhari & Muslim)
This hadith infers that one must know if Hijamah is the best treatment for the patient, or another treatment would be more suitable. It is interesting to note that in this same hadith the 3 main principles of treatment are referred to, viz, supplementing (with honey), draining heat (by Hijamah) and treating cold and stasis (with fire).
In order to know if Hijamah will suit the patient the Hajjaam must first know the contraindications and precautions for practicing Hijamah. Contraindications being those conditions if present, in which Hijamah should not be done and precautions being those in which it is not prohibited, but caution should be observed, especially in terms of how much blood is removed.
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