The Right to Remarry

Widows in Kashmir carry responsibilities, face judgment, and struggle for the right to move forward.

- Faria Bhat

When a woman loses her husband in Kashmir, the world often reacts as if she has lost something far greater than a partner.

Families and neighbours suddenly measure her every action. Her laughter, clothing, even the way she speaks can become subjects of scrutiny.

In contrast, men who lose their wives often face encouragement to move forward, to rebuild their lives.

The difference is stark.

Widows in Kashmir carry a weight that has little to do with grief alone. Families worry about society's judgment. Women themselves hesitate, shaped by generations of expectations. Life after loss is expected to be contained, restrained, defined by mourning. And yet, there is no rule, religious or legal, that forbids a widow from remarrying.

In Islam, the iddah, the period of mourning, is a pause, after which remarriage is permitted and considered virtuous. Offering care, companionship, and stability to a widow aligns with the Prophet Muhammad's teachings, yet cultural resistance remains strong.