Al-Shifa bint Abdullah رضي الله عنها
A wise female Companion from Quraysh, known for knowledge, literacy, ruqyah, teaching, and sound judgement. Her story shows that women of the Companions carried learning, public trust, and service with dignity.
Al-Shifa bint Abdullah
She was al-Shifa bint Abdullah ibn Abd Shams رضي الله عنها, from Quraysh, known for intelligence and knowledge.
Teacher and literate Companion
She was among women who could read and write, and reports mention her teaching Hafsah رضي الله عنها.
Respected by Umar رضي الله عنه
Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه valued her judgement and is reported to have consulted and honoured her.
Her background and early Islam
Al-Shifa رضي الله عنها was from Quraysh and is counted among the women who accepted Islam and migrated. Her name is connected in the books of biography with knowledge, writing, ruqyah, and mature judgement.
Her kunyah is reported as Umm Sulayman, and her son Sulayman ibn Abi Hathmah is mentioned in biographical sources. She lived through the early Makkan and Madinan period as a woman of faith and service.
Her story is important because it shows that female Companions were not only remembered for household stories. Some were known for literacy, instruction, public trust, and community benefit.
Ibn Sa'd; Ibn Hajar; Ibn Abd al-Barr; adh-Dhahabi; biographical reportsAllah raises people of knowledge
يَرْفَعِ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجَاتٍ
Meaning: “Allah will raise those who believe among you and those who were given knowledge by degrees.”
Qur'an 58:11Her literacy and teaching
Reports mention that al-Shifa رضي الله عنها knew writing and that she taught Hafsah bint Umar رضي الله عنها. This is a significant detail because literacy was not common in that environment.
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said to her, regarding a type of ruqyah she knew, that she should teach it to Hafsah as she had taught her writing. This report shows both her skill and the trust placed in her teaching.
Her story therefore supports a beautiful Islamic lesson: beneficial knowledge should be taught, preserved, and passed on with adab.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3887; Musnad Ahmad; Ibn Sa'd; Ibn HajarThe first command of learning
اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ
Meaning: “Read in the name of your Lord who created.”
Qur'an 96:1Ruqyah and Islamic boundaries
Al-Shifa رضي الله عنها was known for a form of ruqyah before Islam, and the Prophet ﷺ allowed beneficial ruqyah when it was free from shirk and impermissible meanings. Reports mention her teaching ruqyah connected to skin conditions or sores, according to scholarly explanations.
This must be taught carefully. Islam does not accept every charm, superstition, or ritual. Ruqyah is permitted when it uses lawful words, relies upon Allah, and contains no shirk.
Her report is useful because it teaches balance: Islam removed false practices but allowed beneficial treatment and supplication within tawhid.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3887; Sahih Muslim 2200; hadith explanations on ruqyahHealing is from Allah
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
Meaning: “And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
Qur'an 26:80Her connection to Hafsah رضي الله عنها
Hafsah bint Umar رضي الله عنها, the Mother of the Believers, was among those connected to al-Shifa’s رضي الله عنها teaching. This shows a chain of female knowledge inside the early Muslim community.
Hafsah رضي الله عنها herself later held the written collection of the Qur'an after Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما. While these are separate matters, they show the value of literacy and trust among the women of the Prophet’s ﷺ household and Companions.
Al-Shifa رضي الله عنها therefore belongs in a section about women of knowledge, not only as a side mention.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3887; Sahih al-Bukhari 4986; biographical reportsRespected by Umar رضي الله عنه
Biographical reports mention that Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه respected al-Shifa رضي الله عنها, valued her opinion, and sometimes entrusted her with oversight in market-related matters.
The details of formal appointment are discussed by scholars and historians, so it should be worded carefully. What is safe to say is that Umar رضي الله عنه recognised her intelligence and sound judgement.
This is an important lesson: Islam honours competence, wisdom, and trustworthiness. A believing woman’s insight can benefit the public community.
Ibn Sa'd; Ibn Hajar; Ibn Abd al-Barr; reports vary on administrative detailsTrusts should go to qualified people
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا
Meaning: “Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due.”
Qur'an 4:58Her hadith narration
Al-Shifa رضي الله عنها narrated from the Prophet ﷺ. Reports from her are preserved in hadith collections, especially around ruqyah and teaching.
Her narration shows how female Companions preserved practical guidance needed by the Ummah.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3887; Musnad Ahmad; hadith collectionsA model of beneficial learning
Her story joins literacy, teaching, healing practice, and public trust. This makes her an excellent role model for girls and boys learning that knowledge should serve people.
She did not keep skill as decoration. She used it for benefit.
Qur'an 58:11; Qur'an 96:1; biographical reportsWomen and knowledge in the early Ummah
Al-Shifa رضي الله عنها is part of a broader reality: women of the Companions learned, asked questions, taught others, narrated hadith, gave charity, migrated, and served the Muslim community.
Her literacy is especially meaningful. In a society where many people were not literate, a woman teaching writing shows the early Muslim community’s respect for useful knowledge.
Her story should encourage careful education, not arrogance. Knowledge is an amanah, and its beauty appears when it is used with taqwa.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3887; Sahih Muslim 2200; biographical worksReports that need careful wording
Some popular summaries say al-Shifa رضي الله عنها was formally appointed over the market by Umar رضي الله عنه. Reports about Umar’s respect for her and her role are found in biographical works, but the exact administrative details should not be overstated.
The strongest teaching points remain clear: she was a female Companion, known for literacy, taught Hafsah رضي الله عنها, had a ruqyah report approved within Islamic boundaries, narrated hadith, and was respected for judgement.
A careful page should honour her without turning uncertain details into fixed claims.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3887; Musnad Ahmad; Ibn Sa'd; Ibn Hajar; Ibn Abd al-Barr; reports vary in detailsSimple timeline
Dates are approximate where reports are general.
From Quraysh
Al-Shifa رضي الله عنها came from Quraysh and is remembered as a woman of intelligence and skill.
Accepts Islam and migrates
She accepted Islam and is counted among believing women who migrated.
Teaches Hafsah رضي الله عنها
Reports mention her teaching writing and ruqyah connected to Hafsah رضي الله عنها.
Recognised by Umar رضي الله عنه
Umar رضي الله عنه valued her judgement according to biographical reports.
Remembered for knowledge
She remains an example of literacy, teaching, healing, and wise service among female Companions.
What her story teaches
Al-Shifa bint Abdullah رضي الله عنها teaches that knowledge is a form of service. Reading, writing, teaching, healing, and wise judgement can all become worship when they are used for Allah.
She teaches that women of the Companions were trusted with serious knowledge and practical responsibilities.
Her story also teaches that Islam does not reject useful skill. It purifies skills from shirk, pride, and harm, then directs them toward mercy and benefit.
References used
- Qur'an 58:11: Allah raises believers and people of knowledge by degrees.
- Qur'an 96:1: the first command of revelation and the honour of learning.
- Qur'an 26:80: healing is from Allah.
- Qur'an 4:58: trusts should be given to those qualified for them.
- Sunan Abi Dawud 3887 and Musnad Ahmad: al-Shifa رضي الله عنها, teaching Hafsah رضي الله عنها, writing, and ruqyah report.
- Sahih Muslim 2200: permissibility of ruqyah when it contains no shirk.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4986: Hafsah رضي الله عنها and the written collection of the Qur'an, used as wider context for literacy and trust.
- Ibn Sa'd, Ibn Hajar, Ibn Abd al-Barr, adh-Dhahabi: biography, migration, family, knowledge, and reports about Umar رضي الله عنه respecting her judgement.