❖ What Is Meant by Scholarly Consensus (Ijma‘ al-‘Ulama)?
Source: Fatawa Amun Puri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amun Puri
❀ Question:
What is meant by the consensus of scholars (ijma‘ al-‘ulama)?
❀ Answer:
When the rightful scholars of Islam unanimously agree upon a ruling, this is called ijma‘ (consensus).
❀ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله (d. 728H) said:
معنى الإجماع : أن تجتمع علماء المسلمين على حكم من الأحكام، وإذا ثبت إجماع الأمة على حكم من الأحكام لم يكن لأحد أن يخرج عن إجماعهم؛ فإن الأمة لا تجتمع على ضلالة ولكن كثير من المسائل يظن بعض الناس فيها إجماعا ولا يكون الأمر كذلك بل يكون القول الآخر أرجح فى الكتاب والسنة . وأما أقوال بعض الأئمة كالفقهاء الأربعة وغيرهم؛ فليس حجة لازمة ولا إجماعا باتفاق المسلمين
“The meaning of ijma‘ is that the scholars of the Muslims gather upon a ruling. When the Ummah’s consensus on a ruling is established, it is not permissible for anyone to oppose it, for the Ummah does not unite upon misguidance. However, there are many issues in which some people assume there is consensus, while in reality there is none; rather, the opposing opinion is stronger according to the Qur’an and Sunnah.
As for the agreement of some Imams, such as the four jurists and others, that is not an obligatory proof nor considered ijma‘, and this is agreed upon by the Muslims.”
(Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, 10/20)
