Meet Rufaida, the world's first female nurse, surgeon, by Ibrahim Hassan Gimba Rufaida Al-Islamia (also transliterated Rufaida Al-Aslamiya or Rufaydah bint Sa`ad) (Arabic: رفيدة الأسلمية) (born approx. 620 AD; 2 BH), was an Islamic medical and social worker recognized as the first female Muslim nurse and the first female surgeon in Islam. She is known as the first nurse in the world. Personal background Among the first people in Madina to accept Islam, Rufaida Al-Islamia was born into the Boni Aslam tribe of the Kazraj tribal confederation in Madina and gained fame...