Sulh as Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism for Marital Conflict among Muslims in Ilorin, Nigeria
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Date
2019
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Published by College of Management and Social Sciences, Fountain University, Osogbo.
Abstract
This paper appraises Sulh (Reconciliation) as an alternative mechanism for resolving
marital dispute in Ilorin, Kwara state of Nigeria. Cases of marital conflict among
Muslim couples are very rampant in the city, leading to a significant rise in the spate of
divorce, separation, single parenthood and domestic violence. This paper identifies the
sources and effects of marital dispute on the family in Ilorin and discusses the
simulative methods of using Sulh for resolving such dispute. The study relies on
secondary data by analyzing existing works on the subject matter. The paper finds that
the primary sources of conflict among Muslim couples in Ilorin include incompatible
marital vision, unmet expectations, financial difficulty, job loss and bareness. The use
of Sulh by Muslim mediators in Ilorin follows the Shari’ah (Islamic law) method of
mediation that includes solicited or unsolicited intervention of external mediator,
identification of conflict issues and resolution of conflict through pleas and soft
bargaining. It is concluded that the application of Sulh in Ilorin, though with its
limitations, is a credible alternative dispute resolution mechanism with promising
outcomes. The Kwara state government should introduce Sulh to decongest the
conventional courts and improve the alternative justice system in Ilorin.