Allah’s Will: Acceptance, Faith, and Duty Amid a Chronic Epidemic in Senegal

Abstract Acceptance, faith, and duty are key for women navigating metabolic disorders in Senegal, West Africa. Senegalese women suffering from diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease/failure found solace in Islam and their faith in Allah for navigating their disease experiences. Religion and faith are seen as sources of strength and agency rather than as foregone conclusions or as something “fated,” providing women ways to make meaning from their chronic illness experiences. Living with chronic illness in under- and low-resourced settings constrain women’s ability to navigate their disease. Religion and faith allow ways of making meaning from these challenging situations.