[Q 159] Earnings from a Prostitute, a Dog, and the Fee for Cupping (Hijama)

Question

1. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The worst of earnings are the wages of a prostitute, the price of a dog and the fee of a cupper.” Narrated by Muslim

2. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allaah ﷺ forbade the earnings of a cupper. Narrated by Ahmad (7635)

Mufti Saab how do we understand these 2 Hadith and there are many other Hadith on this topic.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

In the commentary of these blessed Ahadith, the respected scholars have explained that the word “Khabith” is used here in two meanings: being Haram, and being undesirable. In the earnings of adultery, Khabith means Haram, while in the price obtained by selling a dog and cupping means undesirable.

Therefore, the earnings of the cupper are not Haram, but only Makruh (disliked) and undesirable.

The commentary of this blessed Hadith in Mir’at al-Manājīh states: Khabith is the opposite of Tayyib. Tayyib has two meanings: Halal and Precious.

Therefore, its opposite Khabith also has two meanings: Haram and undesirable.

The payment for the prostitute’s adultery is agreed to be Haram, while the price obtained from cupping is agreed to be undesirable or Makruh. There is a difference of opinion regarding the payment for dogs, according to Imam Shafi’i it is Haram while according to us it is Halal but undesirable.

Therefore, the word Khabith has been used here in the sense of a common term with both meanings. The Prophet ﷺ himself had cupping and gave payment for it, and called it Khabith here in the sense of undesirable. That action was to show permissibility while this order is for dislike. Thus, there is no contradiction in the Ahadith.

(Mir’at al-Manājīh, Volume 4, Hadith 2763)

Answered By: Hammad Madani (AskMufti Scholar)

Verified By: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated by: Shaheer Attari