Religious Tolerance and Inter-Faith Marriages Involving Muslims in Benue State: An Islamic Studies Analysis

This study analyses religious tolerance and the phenomenon of inter-faith marriages involving Muslim spouses in Benue State, North Central Nigeria. Benue State, predominantly Christian, has a notable Muslim minority population, particularly in areas along the North Central border. The increasing occurrence of marriages between Muslims and non-Muslims in such communities raises important questions about religious identity, family dynamics, and Islamic jurisprudential guidance on inter-faith matrimony. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, using semi-structured interviews with 30 Muslim participants involved in or affected by inter-faith marriages and 10 Islamic scholars in Makurdi and Otukpo. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that inter-faith marriages are frequently motivated by economic, social, and romantic factors rather than deliberate religious compromise, though they create significant tensions around child religious upbringing, dietary practices, and prayer observances. Islamic scholars interviewed acknowledged the jurisprudential restrictions while emphasising the need for compassionate guidance over condemnation. The study recommends that Islamic scholars develop structured pre-marital counselling frameworks for inter-faith couples, that Muslim community associations provide sustained post-marriage support, and that religious tolerance education is embedded in Islamic Studies curricula. Keywords: inter-faith marriage, religious tolerance, Muslim minority, Benue State, Islamic jurisprudence.