615 – Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported: “The Prophet ﷺ had himself cupped while he was in a state of ihram.” Agreed upon. (1)

Points derived from the ḥadīth:

1. It proves that cupping is permissible for a pilgrim in ihram, a matter on which the scholars are unanimous.
2. Drawing blood from any part of the body does not fall under the prohibitions of ihram.
3. If cupping entails removing the pilgrim’s hair, then: when done without a legitimate excuse it is unlawful and requires a fidyah (expiatory offering); when done out of necessity it is allowed, yet the fidyah for removing hair remains obligatory.
4. Al-Ṣanʿānī remarked in Subul al-Salām that this ḥadīth highlights a legal maxim: the acts forbidden in ihram—such as shaving the head or hunting game—become permissible when there is a need, but the fidyah is still due.
5. The ḥadīth also affirms the permissibility of cupping for anyone who gains medical benefit from it, as it expels harmful excess blood.