**Ijma (Consensus)** and **Ijtihad (Independent Reasoning)** are two essential principles in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). They serve as tools for interpreting Islamic law, especially in cases where direct guidance from the Qur'an and Sunnah (Hadith) is not explicit. Below is a summary of each concept, along with references to the Qur'an and Hadith.
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### 1. **Ijma (Consensus)**
**Definition**: Ijma is the unanimous agreement of Islamic scholars on a particular issue. When there is no clear directive from the Qur'an or Sunnah, scholars reach a consensus to establish rulings.
**Procedure of Ijma**:
- **Formation of Scholarly Consensus**: Ijma involves consultation among qualified Islamic jurists and scholars. They study the issue and look for a consensus.
- **Sources**: The scholars must ensure their ruling does not contradict the Qur'an or authentic Hadith.
- **Binding Force**: Once established, ijma is considered binding, as it reflects a collective understanding.
**References**:
- **Qur'an**: Allah encourages unity and collective agreement in matters of religion:
- *"And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves..."* (Qur'an, 3:103)
- **Hadith**: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of unity and following the majority:
- *"My Ummah will never agree upon error"* (Sunan Ibn Majah, 3950).
- *"Follow the largest group (jama’ah) of Muslims, for indeed whoever isolates himself from the larger group, is isolated in the Fire."* (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 2167).
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### 2. **Ijtihad (Independent Reasoning)**
**Definition**: Ijtihad refers to the exertion of mental effort by a qualified scholar to derive legal rulings from the Qur'an and Sunnah when no explicit text exists. It is a vital tool to adapt Islamic law to new situations and challenges.
**Procedure of Ijtihad**:
- **Qualification**: Only those with deep knowledge of the Qur'an, Hadith, and principles of Islamic jurisprudence are eligible to perform ijtihad.
- **Use of Reason and Deduction**: Scholars use reasoning, analogy (qiyas), and consideration of public welfare (maslahah) to derive rulings.
- **Consultation with Other Scholars**: Often, scholars consult others to validate their reasoning and ensure it aligns with the objectives of Shariah.
**References**:
- **Qur'an**: The Qur'an encourages reflection and understanding, which are key components of ijtihad.
- *"So take warning, O people of vision."* (Qur'an, 59:2).
- *"Those who have intelligence derive a lesson."* (Qur'an, 2:269).
- **Hadith**: The Prophet encouraged his companions to use their judgment when direct guidance was unavailable.
- **Hadith of Muadh ibn Jabal**: When Prophet Muhammad sent Muadh to Yemen, he asked, "How will you judge?" Muadh replied, "I will judge according to the Book of Allah. If I do not find it there, then according to the Sunnah of the Prophet. If I do not find it there, I will exert my own opinion." The Prophet approved of this response (Sunan Abu Dawood, 3592).
- The Prophet also said, *"When a judge exercises ijtihad and gets it right, he will have two rewards; if he errs, he will still have one reward."* (Sahih al-Bukhari, 7352).
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**Conclusion**: Ijma and Ijtihad are integral to Islamic jurisprudence, allowing the faith to address new issues through collective consensus and individual scholarly reasoning. Both methods uphold the principles of Shariah, balancing continuity with adaptability in the legal framework of Islam.
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