The Doctrine of Ijma' in Islam: A Study of the Juridical Principle of Consensus

Description :
Ijma‘ (consensus) is one of the four basic principles of 'fiqh' [Islamic Jurisprudence]. It has played a vital social and cultural role in the integration of the Muslim community and in the formation of institutions. Besides its legal and cultural manifestations, this doctrine occupies a fundamental position in the development of Islamic thought itself. The author has critically studied the doctrine to provide a deep understanding and clear analysis of a difficult problem.

The first three chapters are introductory studying the social and political role of ijma' and its authority. The following chapters present a detailed analysis of its classical theory, its definition, competence, period, jurisdiction, subject matter and other relevant questions.

The final two chapters deal with its comparative study and with the emerging trends in ijma.