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Ijmāʿ (إجماع) is an Arabic term referring ideally to the consensus of the ummah (the community of Muslims, or followers of Islam). In reality, ijma referred only to the consensus of traditional Islamic scholars (Arabic ulema) on particular points of Islamic law.

The hadith of Muhammad which states that "My community will never agree upon an error" is often cited as support for the validity of ijma, though this tradition is open to interpretation.

Sunni Muslims regard ijma as the third fundamental source of Sharia law, after the divine revelation of the Qur'an, the prophetic practice or Sunnah. The analogical reasoning or qiyas is described as fourth source in Sunni Islam, whereas Shi'a Islam uses 'aql (intellect).

Historically jurists have differed as to the nature of consensus and consensus of whom is acceptable. Ijma of scholars, the ummah, companions, people of Medina, khulafa rashideen, people of influence amongst others have been suggested by various jurists.

External links

The meaning of Ijma' its types & misuse
The Doctrine of Ijma': Is there a consensus? by Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq

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-'''Ijmāʿ''' (إجماع) is an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] term referring ideally to the [[consensus]] of the [[ummah]] (the community of [[Muslims]], or followers of [[Islam]]). In reality, ijma referred only to the consensus of traditional Islamic scholars (Arabic [[ulema]]) on particular points of [[Islamic law]] .
+'''Ijmāʿ''' (إجماع) is an [[Arabic language|Arabic]] term referring ideally to the [[consensus]] of the [[ummah]] (the community of [[Muslims]], or followers of [[Islam]]). In reality, ijma referred only to the consensus of traditional Islamic scholars (Arabic [[ulema]]) on particular points of [[Islamic law]].
-The [[hadith]] of [[Muhammad]] which states that "My community will never agree upon an error" is often cited as support for the validity of ijma. [[Sunni]] Muslims regard ijma as the third fundamental source of Sharia law, after the divine revelation of the [[Qur'an]], the prophetic practice or [[Sunnah]]. The  analogical reasoning or [[qiyas]] is described as fourth source in Sunni Islam, whereas Shi'a Islam uses [['aql]] (intellect). Many conservative Muslim writers have claimed that the use of ijma' makes Islamic law compatible with [[democracy]].
+The [[hadith]] of [[Muhammad]] which states that "My community will never agree upon an error" is often cited as support for the validity of ijma, though this tradition is open to interpretation.
+[[Sunni]] Muslims regard ijma as the third fundamental source of Sharia law, after the divine revelation of the [[Qur'an]], the prophetic practice or [[Sunnah]]. The  analogical reasoning or [[qiyas]] is described as fourth source in Sunni Islam, whereas Shi'a Islam uses [['aql]] (intellect).
-Various proponents of [[liberal movements within Islam]] criticize the traditional view that ijma' is only a consensus among traditional Islamic scholars (Arabic [[ulema]]). They claim that truly democratic consensus should involve the entire community rather than a small and conservative clerical class, especially since there is no hierarchical system in Islam.
+Historically jurists have differed as to the nature of consensus and consensus of whom is acceptable. Ijma of scholars, the ummah, companions, people of Medina, khulafa rashideen, people of influence amongst others have been suggested by various jurists.
-== See also ==
-* [[deliberative democracy]]
+== See also ==
 * [[Qiyas]]
 * [[ijtihad]]