Rufaydah Al-Aslamia: the Modest Medic

Muslim women are among the most overlooked category of physicians in history. Be it textbook or technique, they are often left out when they have served as pillars holding up the clinical lifeline. Among these inspirational figures is Rufaydah Al-Aslamia.

Born in approximately 620 AD, Rufaydah was among the first people in Medina (Modern-day Saudi Arabia) to accept Islam. She was born into the Bani Aslam tribe of the Khazraj tribal confederation in Medina. 

Rufaydah was among the women who welcomed the Prophet Muhammad to Medina, and initially gained her fame among others for her unequivocal kindness and compassion as a nurse. She also entertained social work, helping to solve social issues associated with disease, caring for children in need, orphans, handicapped individuals, and the less fortunate.

She had received her clinical expertise and experience under her father, physician Saad Al-Aslami. She was a pioneer in medical nursing and designed codes of ethics for medical care, establishing rules and traditions that are precursors for modern techniques. She initiated the first palliative care system, an approach improving the quality of life of patients and their families who face issues associated with life-threatening illness. She dedicated herself to nursing and caring for ailing patients, renowned for stabilizing patients and detailing hygiene and sterilization techniques before invasive procedures. 

She stands as the first female nurse and surgeon in the Middle East. But to her, healthcare was more than titles and accomplishments. Rufaydah was a fantastic educator; she trained other women around her to be nurses and to work in healthcare, including famous female companions of the Prophet including Khadijah and Aisha. She established a school, the first nursing school in the Middle East, where she taught women nursing, first aid, and emergency care. 

Her crucial moments as a medic came during the battles that occurred in the early days of Islam. She accompanied the Prophet alongside a medical team of volunteer female nurses. She was responsible for taking care of the wounded and dying soldiers. Her necessities and supplies were transported to the battlefields on camels, where the tent would be set up and opened. She is credited as the “lady of the tent,” for she invented the field hospital: a system of movable tents to assist wounded and diseased warriors. She was rewarded a warrior’s wage for her gracious efforts, as were the other medics, highlighting the immense effort given and respect received. 

During the Battle of the Trench, Saad ibn Muadh was struck by a spear in the brachial artery. This was a catastrophic injury at the time, which she healed graciously. It is noted that she stopped the bleeding and ordered not to remove the spear, displaying her growing knowledge on treating harsh wounds. She was famous for performing careful and successful surgery in her tents, paying meticulous detail to sterilization and post-operational care. Her tents were credited by the Prophet himself as valuable centers to receive handcrafted medicines, treating wounds and broken bones, and a safe haven away for any in need.

Rufaydah is a prime example of the best features a medic can have: compassion, care, and generosity. She lived a life dedicated to change and healing, truly giving everything – be it her knowledge, skill, kindness – to those around her.

Written by Hana Shqairat at Incisionary

References

Rufaida al-Aslamia. Muslim Heritage. (2020, February 4). https://muslimheritage.com/people/scholars/rufaida-al-aslamia/ 

Jalali, S. N. (2023, June 14). Rufaydah Al Aslamiyah(RA) - the lady with the tent - blackstone house publications: Muslim kids books. Blackstone House Publications. https://www.blackstonehouse.com/blog/2022/2/10/rufaydah-al-aslamiyahra-the-lady-with-the-tent 

Khaled, N. (2016, June 28). SCIplanet - rufaida bint Saad al-Aslameya: The first Muslim nurse. Eye On Science SciPlanet. https://www.bibalex.org/SCIplanet/en/Article/Details.aspx?id=5207 

Karippur, N. (2024, July 4). Rufaida al-Aslamia: Pioneering the path of compassion in nursing history. Islamonweb English. https://en.islamonweb.net/rufaida-al-aslamia-pioneering-the-path-of-compassion-in-nursing-history#:~:text=Born%20into%20a%20family%20with,and%20was%20skilled%20in%20surgery

World Health Organization. (2020, August 5). Palliative care. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care#:~:text=Palliative%20care%20involves%20a%20range,actively%20as%20possible%20until%20death.