Consensus (Ijma)
🤝 Ijma — The Binding Consensus
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"My Ummah will not unite upon error."
— [At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
📖 Introduction
📜 Scene: Saqifa of Bani Sa'idah
Medina, 11 AH, the day the Prophet ﷺ passed away...
The Companions gathered at Saqifa Bani Sa'idah to choose a successor.
The Ansar said: "A leader from us and a leader from you!"
Then Abu Bakr — may Allah be pleased with him — said:
"The Arabs will not accept except a leader from Quraysh. We are the leaders, and you are the ministers."
Omar — may Allah be pleased with him — said:
"Extend your hand, O Abu Bakr!"
All the Companions agreed on the pledge to Abu Bakr...
🎯 This is Ijma — the consensus of the Companions on a single matter!
📜 Scene: The Power of Consensus
Ali ibn Abi Talib — may Allah be pleased with him — said:
"When Abu Bakr was given the pledge, and the people agreed upon it, I was the first to give him the pledge."
💡 Consensus = the Ummah uniting on the truth!
📖 Definition of Ijma
The Technical Definition
Ijma: The agreement of the mujtahids from the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, after his death, on a legal ruling in a particular era.
Elements of the Definition
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🤝 Agreement | All agree, not just a majority |
| 👨🎓 The mujtahids | Scholars capable of ijtihad |
| 🕌 From the Ummah | Not from other religions |
| ⏰ After his death | During his life, the reference was revelation |
| ⚖️ On a legal ruling | Doctrinal or practical |
| 📅 In an era | May differ from one era to another |
⚖️ Authority of Ijma
Position
| Order | Evidence |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | The Quran |
| 2️⃣ | The Sunnah |
| 3️⃣ | Ijma |
| 4️⃣ | Qiyas |
Proofs
From the Quran
﴿ And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell ﴾
— [An-Nisa: 115]
💡 "The way of the believers" = their consensus!
From the Sunnah
"My Ummah will not unite upon error."
— [At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
📊 Types of Ijma
By Manner of Expression
| Type | Definition | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 🗣️ Explicit (Sarih) | Scholars express their opinions | Strongest |
| 🤫 Tacit (Sukuti) | Some speak, others remain silent | Differed upon |
Example of Tacit Ijma
Abu Bakr — may Allah be pleased with him — ruled on the grandmother's inheritance (one-sixth), and no one objected.
By Era
| Type | Definition | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Consensus of the Companions | In the Companions' era | Agreed upon as proof |
| 📖 Consensus of later scholars | After the Companions | Also proof according to majority |
🔗 Conditions of Ijma
For It to Be Valid
| Condition | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🤝 Agreement of all | One disagreement nullifies |
| 👨🎓 From the mujtahids | The common person's opinion doesn't count |
| ⏰ Passage of time | Until all have expressed their opinion |
| 🔒 On a legal matter | Not on linguistic or worldly matters |
What Invalidates Ijma?
| Invalidator | Explanation |
|---|---|
| ❌ One dissent | Even from one scholar |
| ❌ Later discovery of disagreement | The ijma is nullified |
| ❌ Before the era ends | No one has died yet |
📜 Story: Consensus on Compiling the Quran
The Cause
After the Battle of Yamama, many huffadh (memorizers) were martyred.
Omar — may Allah be pleased with him — suggested to Abu Bakr:
"I fear that many Quran reciters will be martyred in battles. We should compile the Quran."
The Hesitation
Abu Bakr hesitated: "How can I do something the Prophet ﷺ did not do?"
The Consensus
Omar continued to discuss with him until Allah opened his heart.
All the Companions agreed on the compilation...
🎯 This is a famous consensus on a matter of general benefit!
📜 Examples of Ijma
In Worship
| Ruling | Consensus |
|---|---|
| 🕌 Five daily prayers | Agreed upon |
| 🌙 Fasting Ramadan | Agreed upon |
| 💰 Zakat on gold and silver | Agreed upon |
| 🕋 Obligation of Hajj | Agreed upon |
In Transactions
| Ruling | Consensus |
|---|---|
| 💰 Riba is forbidden | Agreed upon |
| 🍺 Wine is forbidden | Agreed upon |
| 📜 Validity of sales | Agreed upon |
| 👫 Validity of marriage | Agreed upon |
In Aqeedah
| Ruling | Consensus |
|---|---|
| 🕋 Tawhid | Agreed upon |
| 📖 Obligation to follow the Prophet ﷺ | Agreed upon |
| ⏳ Resurrection | Agreed upon |
⚠️ Ijma Is Not
What Is Not Ijma?
| Misconception | Clarification |
|---|---|
| ❌ Majority opinion | Majority is not consensus |
| ❌ One school's opinion | Must include all mujtahids |
| ❌ A scholar's saying "by ijma" | Must be verified |
| ❌ Common practice | Custom is not ijma |
Verify Before Saying "Ijma"!
Imam Ahmad — may Allah have mercy on him — said:
"Whoever claims ijma is lying. How does he know people didn't differ?"
💡 This is a warning against hastily claiming ijma!
🎯 Contemporary Cases
📱 Case 1: Claiming Consensus on Digital Currency
Situation: Someone claims there is "ijma" that Bitcoin is haram.
❓ Is this ijma?
📜 Click for answer
Analysis:
| Element | Verification |
|---|---|
| 🤝 Agreement of all? | No, there is disagreement |
| 👨🎓 From the mujtahids? | Many haven't ruled |
| ⏰ Passage of time? | It's a new matter |
💡 There is no consensus on Bitcoin yet! Scholars differ.
🏦 Case 2: Conventional Bank Interest
Situation: Someone claims there is consensus that bank interest is riba.
❓ Is this correct?
📜 Click for answer
Scholarly positions:
| View | Position |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Majority | It is riba, there is near-consensus |
| 🟡 Some | Disagreed, but are few |
| ⚖️ Result | There is near-consensus, but not absolute |
💡 The vast majority confirms prohibition, even if there is some disagreement!
🕌 Case 3: Women Leading Prayer
Situation: A woman leads mixed-gender Friday prayer.
❓ What about consensus here?
📜 Click for answer
Scholarly consensus:
| Ruling | Source |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Prohibited | By consensus of the classical scholars |
| 📜 Unanimously agreed | A woman cannot lead men in obligatory prayer |
💡 This is a clear consensus that hasn't changed!
📚 Case 4: Consensus in Fiqhi Schools
Situation: A scholar from one school claims consensus, but other schools disagree.
❓ Is this ijma?
📜 Click for answer
Important distinction:
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| 🔵 "Ijma of Hanafis" | Consensus within the school |
| 🟢 "Absolute Ijma" | Requires agreement of all schools |
💡 One school's consensus is not absolute ijma!
🆕 Case 5: New Issues
Situation: Can there be ijma on contemporary issues?
❓ What is the ruling?
📜 Click for answer
In principle, yes:
| Condition | Necessity |
|---|---|
| 🤝 Agreement of the mujtahids | Of the era |
| ⏰ Sufficient time | For study |
| 📊 Clear expression | From all |
💡 But practically, it is rare due to the number of scholars and communication!
💭 Reflection
Imam Ash-Shafi'i — may Allah have mercy on him — said:
"If scholars agree on something, it becomes the argument against those who come after them."
🎯 Ijma is protection for the Ummah from error and deviation!
📚 Summary
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 🎯 Definition | Agreement of the mujtahids on a legal ruling |
| 📊 Position | Third source after Quran and Sunnah |
| 📜 Proof | "My Ummah will not unite upon error" |
| 📖 Types | Explicit and tacit |
| ⚖️ Conditions | Agreement of all, from mujtahids, on a legal matter |
| ⚠️ Caution | Verify before claiming ijma |