Between Fitnah and Ṣulḥ: An Islamic Analysis of Religion as a Catalyst for Conflict and an Instrument of Sustainable Peacebuilding in Nigeria

Religion plays an ambivalent role in Nigeria, serving both as a catalyst for conflict and a resource for sustainable peacebuilding. This study examines the instrumentalization of religion in Nigerian conflicts and explores the contribution of Islamic concepts of fitnah (discord) and ṣulḥ (reconciliation) to understanding religious violence and peacebuilding. Employing a qualitative, multi-source documentary approach, the study analyzes scholarly literature, media reports, institutional documents, and public statements, including those associated with the 2025 Northern Ulama Summit. The findings indicate that religiously framed conflicts, including the Boko Haram insurgency and farmer–herder violence, are shaped by the interaction of religious narratives, political competition, socio-economic inequalities, and governance failures. Conversely, Islamic ethical principles and faith-based initiatives provide resources for mediation, interfaith dialogue, and communal reconciliation. Sustainable peace therefore requires responsible religious leadership, inclusive dialogue, social justice, and accountable governance. The study contributes an integrated fitnah–ṣulḥ analytical framework that connects the processes of religious instrumentalization and conflict escalation with ethical approaches to reconciliation. This framework offers a context-sensitive perspective for examining religion's contrasting roles in Nigeria's conflict and peacebuilding dynamics.