Rufayda al-Aslamia

In the records of Islamic history, there lived a woman of exceptional character and compassion by the name of Rufayda al-Aslamia. Born into the Bani Aslam tribe in Madina, she was among the first to embrace the teachings of Islam and was known for her tenacious commitment to the care of the sick and the less fortunate.

Rufaida was a pioneer in the field of medicine, being the first female Muslim nurse and surgeon. She was known for her kindness, clinical expertise, and organizational skills, and went on to train other women, including the honorable ‘Aisha, to become nurses themselves. In addition to her medical work, Rufaida also devoted herself to solving social problems, caring for orphans, and helping the poor.

Her father, Sa’ad al-Aslamy, was a physician of great renown, and under his tutelage, Rufaida honed her skills and became an expert healer in her own right. Despite the limitations imposed upon her as a woman in a patriarchal society before the birth of Islam, Rufaida’s work in field hospitals was widely recognized and she was called upon by the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, to treat the wounded in battles.

Although little is known about the history of nursing in pre-Islamic Arabia, a deep understanding of the religious and cultural norms during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) provides valuable insight into the roles and responsibilities of nurses in those times.

In contrast to the Christian belief that disease was a divine punishment, Muslims held a high regard for the cleansing of the body and followed strict dietary and prayer regimens. During the holy wars, medical treatment was largely provided by physicians who would visit patients to diagnose and treat their ailments. Nurses were limited in their duties to providing physical comfort and emotional support, with their responsibilities limited to the noninvasive care of patients.

With the decrease in holy wars and civil unrest, advancements in technology and architecture led to the construction of new hospitals and better methods for treating the sick (which we will talk about in detail shortly). Although nurses were still limited to basic tasks such as serving food and administering medicine, traditional Islamic norms necessitated the segregation of hospital wards based on gender, with males treating males and females treating females. While some relaxation of these segregation practices has occurred in contemporary times, many traditional Islamic communities still hold these values in high regard and advocate for hospitals to reflect these historical practices.

It is also believed that Rufaida Al-Aslamia was not only the very first Muslim nurse and surgeon, but she was considered to be the very first nurse in history as well. She was noted for her untiring commitment to the art of healing and was known for her pioneering efforts in developing the first-ever mobile care units during the Battle of the Khandaq (aka Ditch) that brought medical aid to the far-flung corners of the land; these mobile hospitals, called bimaristan, would later be developed further during the rise of the Islamic civilization. With her deep knowledge of the workings of medicine, Rufaida was able to provide care and comfort to the ailing and injured, tending to their wounds and restoring their health.

Her name glides gracefully through the ages as one who brought solace and hope to the suffering, for she led a group of volunteer nurses who went to the battlefield during the battles of Khandaq, Khaibar, and others, and provided care to the casualties of war. Even in times of peace, Rufaida remained committed to her mission of assisting those in need, for she trained a group of women companions as nurses and brought aid to the suffering wherever it was required.

Rufaida’s dedication and skill were truly remarkable to the point that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself acknowledged her contributions, for when the Muslim army was getting ready to go to the battle of Khaibar, Rufaida and her companions came to him and asked for permission to go out with them and tend to the injured. And so it was that the Prophet (peace be upon him) granted their request, and the nurse volunteers performed their duties with such grace and skill that the Prophet (peace be upon him) assigned a share of the bounty to Rufaida, recognizing her selfless work on the front lines of medicine; she was given the same share as a soldier. Such is the justice and equality that Islam brings into the world.

In times of peace, Rufaida continued her humanitarian efforts, assisting those in need. Even to this day, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland at the University of Bahrain honors her legacy by awarding the prestigious Rufaida Al-Aslamia Prize in Nursing to a student who consistently excels in delivering superb care to patients.

Her narrative exemplifies the remarkable impact that a single individual can have on the world. May God be pleased with her and all the righteous.

All images were sourced from Google Images.