Scholars-theologians, regardless of what religion they profess, are engaged in the interpretation of sources, discussing certain dogmas, explaining to mere mortals the provisions of books that are required to be read. In Islam, in order to avoid ambiguous interpretations of the Koran and the Sunnah, ijma is used. Ijma is the unanimity of the mujtahids of one generation on the norms of Sharia.
Concept
It makes sense to talk about ijma when all the scientists of one community come to a consensus. If at least one mujtahid speaks out against, then there is no ijma as such.
Ijma is the consent of the scholars-theologians who profess Islam. The opinion of mere mortals is not taken into account. Also, the result of the discussion of the Qur'an by another community is not significant.
Because ijma is a conclusion, it can be considered evidence, but not the absolute truth that Allah and his prophet Muhammad present. Ijma does not include reaching agreement on other, non-Sharia norms. The Koran, Sunnah, Ijma are the main sources of Shariah. The interpretations used by theologians also include qiyas, which iswill go lower.
The Purpose of Ijma
The main books of all Muslims are the Koran and the Sunnah. The sources indicate in detail what the lifestyle of a true believer should be, what a professing Muslim can and cannot do, how to act in certain situations. However, Allah and his prophet Muhammad give general recommendations (although many provisions are specified in the Sunnah), and in life there are enough particulars, therefore, detailed explanations are required. This is what ijma is for.
Views
Theologians distinguish two types of ijma: final and intended. In the first case, this refers to a provision with which all Muslims without exception agree (mandatory prayer five times, a ban on adultery, etc.). If a person does not agree with these arguments, then his faith is not so strong.
Unanimous opinion should not run counter to the dogmas of Shariah. Ijma that contradicts the Qur'an is unreliable, unconvincingly proven, canceled or still contains disagreements.
Conditions
The general conclusion about this or that norm must be confirmed. The evidence is based on the statements of famous scientists or the content of competent sources.
With the adoption of ijma, all previous disagreements on the issue under consideration are prohibited. Cancellation of the previous position adopted by the mujtahids is allowed. Then a new opinion appears.
For the decision made by the wise men of the community to take effect, it is not necessary to wait for the end of the century. Reaching a consensus betweenscholars makes the observance of the order obligatory for Muslims from the moment the rule comes into force. Ijma is something that concerns all the faithful, regardless of status.
Among theologians there is no consensus on whether to consider silence as ijma. Someone believes that the absence of censure, negative statements is a kind of consent, therefore, it can be considered as ijma. Other mujtahids consider the absence of remarks only as proof of the correctness of the speaker. Still others do not attach any importance to silence, and the fourth argue that ijma has the right to exist if a generation of scientists left this world before any of the sages of the community had time to express disagreement.
Degrees
Because one comes to a single argument in different ways, the degrees of ijma can be as follows:
- verbal: the point of view on the issue under consideration is expressed through speech, the words “allowed”, “mandatory” or “prohibited” are used;
- silent: members of the community do not agree or object, which, as stated above, is not considered ijma by some theologians;
- achieved without disagreement following the ascetics;
- established as a result of the exclusion of various points of view after the ascetics.
Theologians themselves do not establish norms that are absent from the Koran and the Sunnah. Mujtahids only interpret the main sources of Sharia from the point of view of religious dogmas and legal norms. In Islam, these concepts are almost identical, since it is believed that the legal sphere (like otheraspects of Muslim life) is governed by Allah and the Messenger.
Ijma and Qiyas
Qiyas means judgment by analogy. If the main sources do not contain specific instructions regarding certain actions, then the rules are formulated on the basis of other provisions.
Qiyas includes four components:
- norm for analogy;
- rule on which the analogy is established;
- the norms of the first provision applied to the second;
- unity of provisions in accordance with Shariah.
For example, the Koran forbids drinking wine, but says nothing about beer. But beer also contains alcohol. Thanks to qiyas, the ban also applies to the foamy drink. The exclusion of wine is considered the original norm, the consumption of beer is considered an analogy, the spread norm is a ban, and the unity of provisions is the likelihood of alcohol intoxication.
The Koran, Ijma, Sunnah, Qiyas are the basis of the life of Muslims. The Qur'an is a law-forming entity, as it contains the direct statements of Allah. The Sunnah cites everything that comes from the Prophet, whose speech is equated with the words of Allah. Also, the word "Sunnah" is interpreted as incomplete compliance with the requirements of Shariah.
