Appraising Rufaidah Al-Aslamia, First Muslim Nurse and Pioneer of Islamic Nursing: Contributions and Legacy

Abstract

Global advancement in nursing is attributed mainly to western pioneers with negligible recognition of Rufaidah Al-Aslamia, who was the first Muslim nurse, and pioneer in Islamic nursing more than 1,400 years ago in Madinah (Medina, Saudi Arabia). She responded to the need for the provision of organized nursing care to injured soldiers in the Islamic battles during the time of Prophet Mohammed (Peace & Blessings Upon Him). The paucity of focus on Rufaidah Al-Aslamia triggered this scientific study to appraise her contributions and legacy as the pioneer of Islamic nursing. A qualitative, historical research inquiry was conducted using a research design that was exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, interpretive, and contextual within the constructivist paradigm. Data collection of literature was conducted by purposive sampling. Data analysis was conducted in two parts, which is document analysis, and thematic and content analysis with the use of deductive, inductive and abductive logical reasoning. The results of topic themes related to nurse-, patient-, and system-focused activities are provided with the emerging themes including efficient organizer, effective communication, clinical practice teacher, community care, and spiritual care. The historical narrative is reconstructed using empirical data sources as part of the discussion that includes the biography of Rufaidah Al-Aslamia and a vivid comprehensive portrayal of the contributions and legacy of Rufaidah Al-Aslamia as the first Muslim nurse and the pioneer of Islamic nursing.