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The role of consensus in Islamic society today

Question

Does Ijmaa' play a role in Islamic society today?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

There is no doubt that the consensus of the scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them whether in the earlier times or in this contemporary era, about matters on which there is no text in the Quran or the Sunnah, is of great importance and plays an important role in the society. That is because the consensus of the scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them is an absolute evidence that a Muslim is bound to abide by the view of all the Muslim scholars may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them. So if there is a consensus of the Muslim nation that a given matter is forbidden or permissible, then this consensus applies to all Muslims and it is not permissible to act contrary to it.

Ibn Mas'ood  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him said: 'Whatever the Muslims (collectively) view as being good is in the Sight of Allaah good, and whatever the Muslims (collectively) view as bad and evil is in the Sight of Allaah bad and evil.' [Ahmad and Al-Haakim]

Allaah Knows best.

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