Islamic Perspectives on Widowhood Rights, Respect, and Representation: An Ethnographic Study of Women’s Experiences

Widowhood is a significant social and religious phenomenon that transforms women’s identities and roles within their societies. This study investigates the Islamic perspectives on widowhood rights, dignity, and representation within Muslim communities in Eastern Odisha, India. This study is based on ethnographic fieldwork in largely Muslim areas of the Cuttack district. The study highlights the convergence of Islamic theological doctrines with specific cultural practices that affect the lives of widows. Although Islamic doctrines and principles of Shariah advocate for the protection, dignity, and right to remarriage for widows, community practices often enforce constraints, symbolic marginalisation, and gender inequalities. The study examines how widows maintain their identities through narratives and lived experiences within the context of faith, morality, and community expectations. This study employs an interpretive anthropological approach to highlight the disconnect between scriptural ideals and contemporary realities, thereby contributing to a broader discourse on gender, religion, and social justice.