PREVALENCE OF FITNAH IN NIGERIAN SOCIETY AND PROPHETIC GUIDANCEFROM ṢAḤĪḤ AL-BUKHĀRĪ

Abstract

This work examines the prevalence of Fitnah, understood as trials, social discord, and moral
challenges within Nigerian society, and explores the prophetic guidance provided in Sahih AlBukhari as a framework for navigating these complex societal trials. The study addresses a critical
gap by contextualizing the classical Islamic concept of Fitnah in Nigeria's ethnically and religiously
diverse environment, which experiences ongoing tensions and sociopolitical instability. Employing
a qualitative methodology, this research conducts a thematic analysis of selected Aḥādīth from
Sahih Bukhari's Book of Al-Fitan alongside a sociocultural review of Nigerian societal dynamics.
Findings reveal that Fitnah in Nigeria manifests in religious, political, and ethnic conflicts, while
prophetic teachings emphasize virtues such as patience, unity, and adherence to the Qur'ān and
Sunnah as essential means to mitigate these trials. The study argues that prophetic guidance remains
relevant and practicable for fostering social cohesion and resilience in contemporary Nigerian
contexts. These insights contribute to the broader discourse on Islam's role in addressing modern
societal challenges and affirm the enduring interpretative value of classical texts in contemporary
society.