What is Ijmah in Islam?

 

The word Ijma' literally means agreeing upon or uniting in opinion. In Islamic Shariah, it is the third source of Islamic law and it refers to the consensus reached by Muslim Scholars on some matters about which detailed answer in the Quran and the Sunnah is unavailable as such. There are many instances in which no clear parable is available in the Quran or Sunnah. The Holy Prophet(ﷺ) came across countless situations and through divine guidance was able to clarify many issues. Thus all hypothetical questions were converted to practical experiences.

As time passed and mankind underwent many social and technological changes, a few new questions began to be raised. A typical example is the issue of a test-tube baby or genetic engineering, which did not exist at the time of the Holy Prophet(ﷺ). These posed certain questions that needed practical solutions. The scholars came together and devised methods based on the Quran and Sunnah so that no deviation from the founding principles of Islam should occur.

Ijma' is the consensus of the scholars dealing with such issues. It derives its sanction as an 'usul' or fundamental principle of Islamic jurisprudence from a number of Quranic texts and traditions of the Prophet(ﷺ). For instance, the Quran says:

"Thus have We made you an Ummah (community) justly balanced....." ((2:143).

This verse indicates that the essence of all Islamic teachings is to avoid extravagances or extremes on either side or strike a middle ground acceptable to all. Then at another place, the Quran asks us:

"And hold fast all together the Rope of God and be not divided among yourselves" (3:103).

Here the simile of 'Rope' has been used for the set of principles designed by Allah and which Surah al-Fateha terms as the Right Way. Now if all hold fast to it together, their mutual support adds to the chance of their safety. This means that the practice of Ijma' ensures the safety of the Ummah by means of universal agreement on disputed matters. It is for this reason that the Holy Prophet(ﷺ) advised his followers:

"Avoid the branching path and keep to the general community."

This tradition also supports the practice of Ijma' in order to avoid sectarianism. The Quranic commandments sum up the relationship between the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the authority (scholars, etc.) that is to be followed only when he (the authority) himself practiced in the light of and in conformity to the Quran and the Sunnah. Then after some ruling has been established it should be adhered to with noble intention and trust in Allah. We trace the roots of Ijma' from the Quranic commandments of “consulting each other" which was regularly practiced by the Holy Prophet(ﷺ) while making important decisions. It must be remembered that a deep knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah is compulsory for a person or group of persons who observe Ijma'.