Can You Explain Briefly The Concept Of Ijma?

Ijma or the consensus of opinion, according to Islamic jurisprudence, means the agreed view of the Sahaba or the companions of the Holy Prophet SAW of Islam, and later it meant the unanimous consent of the doctors. It serves as one of the sources of Islamic theology. In Islam, independent reasoning recognizes the full knowledge of Muslim law and a thorough acquaintance with the Quran, the Hadith and principles of jurisprudence; all this requires the consultation of the trusted counselors or jurists or the collective opinion of the council of the divines.

Ijma has become an essential part of the faith and any disbelief in it becomes an act of disbelief. It is reached fro the generality of human needs in accordance with the requirements of time and conditions, accomplished by those who are possessed of the necessary qualifications as Mujtahids or lawyers. It is the de facto agreement of the learned on the basis of the universal practice of Islam. The Ijma as the source of the Islamic Law is contained in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah, which are full of injunctions authorizing consensus of opinion.

Ijma is the third source of Islamic Law.Literally, Ijma means agreeing upon or uniting in opinion.It means the consensus of Islamic community on some point of law. It can operate only where the Quran and Hadis have not clarified certain aspect of Islamic law. It is gradual process through which the community over a period of time come to a consensus over a question of law.

Ijma is of three types:
1: Ijma or consensus of the Companions of the Holy Prophet(SAW) which is also universally accepted and binding and therefore, unchangeable.

2: Ijma of the jurists.

2: Ijma of the people,i.e. general body of the Muslim community.
As regards the last two, the jurists, particularly Imam Abu Hanifa, are of the view that they cannot be confined or limited to any particular age or country, and therefore, Ijma of one age can be modified by a Ijma of the same or subsequent age.