This hadith is authentic from the Prophet, peace be upon him, in Sahih al-Bukhari 2: 685, and Sahih Ibn Hibban 8: 301. It has been said in the interpretation of this hadith: that it was so in the beginning and then it was permitted later. Also, there is no evidence in the hadith that cupping breaks the fast; it is possible that there was something from either of them that necessitated breaking the fast, which is the loss of the reward of fasting, like backbiting. Therefore, the apparent meaning of the hadith should not be taken literally; because cupping is merely the extraction of some blood, and breaking the fast occurs due to what enters the body, not what exits. Refer to: Bada'i al-Sana'i 2: 107.