Ruling on Ijmāʿ (Consensus) in Islam
Source: Fatāwā Amnpūrī by Shaykh Ghulām Muṣṭafā Ẓahīr Amnpūrī
❖ Question
What is the ruling regarding ijmāʿ (consensus)?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
- Ijmāʿ is a Sharʿī proof.
- It is the path of the believers (sabīl al-muʾminīn).
- Turning away from it is deviation from the Straight Path.
✿ Qur’anic Evidence
﴿وَمَنْ يُشَاقِقِ الرَّسُولَ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ الْهُدَى وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّى وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَاءَتْ مَصِيرًا﴾
(al-Nisāʾ 115)
Translation:
“Whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him, and follows a way other than that of the believers, We shall leave him to that which he has chosen and drive him into Hell – what an evil destination!”
✿ Statements of the Scholars
◈ Imām Abū al-Qāsim Saʿd ibn ʿAlī al-Zanjānī (رحمه الله, d. 471H):
“Whatever the Companions (RA) agreed upon is a proof, and that is the path of the believers for one who understands. Know that happiness lies in following ijmāʿ, while taking a rare view against it is dangerous.”
(Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ 18/389)
◈ Imām al-Dhahabī (رحمه الله, d. 748H):
“Scholars have always differed, and a scholar may speak about another based on his ijtihād. Each one is excused and rewarded. But whoever is stubborn and opposes ijmāʿ is sinful. All matters return to Allah.”
(Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ 19/327)
◈ Conclusion
- Ijmāʿ is a binding proof in Islam.
- To oppose it knowingly is sinful and dangerous.
- True success lies in adhering to the path of the believers.
والله أعلم بالصواب
