ijma
Low (Specialist)Academic / Technical (Islamic Studies, Religious Studies, Law)
Definition
Meaning
In Islamic law, the consensus or unanimous agreement of Muslim scholars (the ulema) on a point of Islamic law or religious practice in a particular era, considered a source of Islamic jurisprudence.
More broadly, can refer to the principle of consensus within a community of experts or scholars on a religious, legal, or doctrinal matter, serving as a source of authority and preventing further dispute.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Ijma is one of the four principal sources of Islamic law (usul al-fiqh), alongside the Qur'an, Sunnah, and qiyas (analogical reasoning). It is not a democratic consensus but the agreement of qualified jurists. Its scope and authority vary among different Islamic schools of thought (madhahib).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent. It is primarily used in academic and religious contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Carries the same technical, scholarly connotation in both varieties of English.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both British and American English, confined to discussions of Islamic law and theology.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The ijma [of scholars] + [on/regarding something]There is ijma that + [clause]Something is established by ijma.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The doors of ijma are closed (historical claim that definitive ijma is no longer possible).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in Islamic legal theory, religious studies, and comparative law discussions. E.g., 'The paper examines the role of ijma in modern Sunni jurisprudence.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Precise term in Islamic theology (kalam) and jurisprudence (fiqh).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The ijma-based ruling was widely accepted.
- An ijma precedent.
American English
- An ijma-based opinion.
- The scholar cited ijma authority.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The scholars reached an ijma on the issue.
- Ijma is an important idea in Islam.
- Islamic law can be derived from several sources, one of which is ijma, or scholarly consensus.
- The historical ijma on this point is considered binding by traditional jurists.
- The validity of that fatwa was contested because it lacked support from any recognised ijma of contemporary jurists.
- Debates continue among modernists regarding the mechanisms for establishing ijma in the contemporary era.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a group of wise scholars (IJMA) saying 'I agree, MA.' This captures the idea of scholarly consensus (I + agree).
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSENSUS IS A FOUNDATION (Ijma serves as a foundational pillar of law). AUTHORITY IS UNITY (The unified voice of scholars carries binding authority).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'и́ма' (priest, imam). 'Ijma' is a concept, not a person.
- Not equivalent to 'консенсус' in a general political sense; it is a specific religious-legal term with higher authority.
- The 'j' is pronounced like the 's' in 'pleasure' /ʒ/.
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as 'eye-jma' (correct: ij-MAH).
- Using it to mean any general agreement, rather than a scholarly, religious-legal one.
- Misspelling as 'ijmah' or 'ijmaa' (though 'ijmāʿ' with diacritics is the transliterated form).
Practice
Quiz
What is 'ijma' primarily considered to be in Islamic law?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is not a democratic vote but the agreement of qualified religious scholars (mujtahids) based on their interpretation of primary sources. Silence is not considered agreement.
Most do, but its scope and whose consensus counts differ. Sunni schools generally accept it, while Shi'a jurisprudence places less emphasis on it, prioritising the Imam's teaching.
Once a true ijma is established on a legal ruling, it is considered definitive and unchangeable for that school. However, identifying what constitutes a historical ijma can be a subject of debate.
Ijma is the consensus of religious scholars on a point of law. 'Urf is the customary practice of the common people, which can influence law but is a separate, less authoritative source.