Consensus (Ijma)

Question 1

What is the meaning of the word “Ijma” and its role in Islamic law?

Answer 1

• The word “Ijma” means “consensus” or “unanimous agreement.”
• It is the third source of Islamic law, referred to when there is no clear teaching in the Quran or Sunnah.

Question 2

What Quranic verses justify the use of Ijma in legal thinking?

Answer 2

• These Quranic verses justify the use of Ijma in legal thinking:
• “Thus have We made of you a community justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nation, and the Messenger a witness over yourselves.”

“You are the best of people evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.”

Question 3

What Hadith supports the concept of Ijma?

Answer 3

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

• “My community will never agree upon an error.”
• “Gather together the righteous from among my community and decide the matter by their counsel and do not decide it by any man’s opinion.”

Question 4

How has the agreed view of the community been historically regarded?

Answer 4

• It has been accepted since early times that the agreed view of the community is binding upon Muslims in both legal and general matters.

Question 5

What are the two broad kinds of Ijma?

Answer 5

• General agreement of all Muslims on matters of belief, e.g., the Quran as the most authentic revealed book and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the best of all creation.
• Agreement of a group of Muslims on legal matters not addressed in the Quran or Sunnah, e.g., the permissibility of IVF for married Muslim couples without children.

Question 6

Who are considered qualified to participate in Ijma?

Answer 6

Opinions vary as to who are considered qualified to participate in Ijma :

• The companions of the Prophet (PBUH).
• The companions of Madina.
• The Rightly Guided Caliphs.
• Shi’i Muslims consider the descendants of the Prophet (Imams).
• Legal scholars of any generation.

Question 7

What Quranic verse relates to Ijma on inheritance?

Answer 7

“It is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves any goods, that he should make a bequest to parents and next of kin.”

Question 8

What example of Ijma relates to inheritance laws?

Answer 8

If a father has died before his son, and the son also dies, the grandfather shares in the son’s estate, even though this is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran

Question 9

What Quranic teaching forbids certain marriages?

Answer 9

• “Prohibited to you are: your mothers, daughters,
• sisters;

father’s sisters, mother’s sisters.

• Brother’s daughters, sister’s daughters;
• foster mothers, foster sisters;
• your wives’ mothers, your step-daughters
• under your guardianship, born of your wives.”
• This teaching is extended to forbid marriage with grandmothers and granddaughters.

Question 10

How did the Prophet (PBUH) practice Ijma for the Azaan?

Answer 10

• He consulted his companions, and Hazrat Umar’s suggestion to use a human voice for the Azaan was accepted

Question 11

How did the Prophet (PBUH) practice Ijma during the Battle of Uhud?

Answer 11

• He consulted his companions and accepted their suggestion to fight outside Madina, despite having a different opinion.

Question 12

How was Ijma practiced before the Battle of the Trench?

Answer 12

• The Prophet (PBUH) accepted Salman Farsi’s suggestion to dig a trench around Madina.

Question 13

How was Ijma applied during the compilation of the Quran?

Answer 13

• The Quran was compiled in a book form during Hazrat Abu Bakr’s caliphate upon the suggestion of Umar (RA) and by Ijma of the Companions, after 360 Companions were martyred in the Battle of Yamamah.

Question 14

How was Ijma applied to Tarawih prayers?

Answer 14

• During the Caliphate of Umar (RA), Tarawih prayers were organized in congregation after Isha prayers, as the Prophet (PBUH) had prayed them in congregation only a few times.

Question 15

How was Ijma applied to the two Adhans for Jum’ah?

Answer 15

• During Uthman’s caliphate, due to Madina’s expansion and market noise, it was decided by Ijma to have a second Adhan for Jum’ah prayers.

Question 16

What does Ijma signify in Islamic law?

Answer 16

• In conclusion, It is a continuation of divine teaching for legal and practical purposes, safeguarded by the agreement of leading Muslims or experts to ensure harmony with the Quran and Sunnah.