In these days, there have appeared those who say: Ijma' (scholarly consensus) is not a proof, because you do not know; perhaps they differed. What is the opinion?

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, in these days there have appeared those who claim knowledge and say that ijma' (scholarly consensus) is not a proof. He says: And what makes you know? Perhaps they have differed. What is the opinion on such a statement?

The Shaykh:
Yes, there is a distinction regarding ijma' (scholarly consensus): there is definitive ijma' and probable ijma'. The matters of necessity, such as the prohibition of shirk (associating partners with Allah), the prohibition of zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), the prohibition of khamr (intoxicants), and the prohibition of riba (usury or interest), are agreed upon by definitive ijma'. There are issues in which there is disagreement that allows for difference of opinion; so the claim that there is definitive ijma' on them is incorrect. No, it is probable ijma', probable ijma'. Yes.

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, there are people.

The Shaykh:
But the one who denies ijma' (scholarly consensus) entirely and says there is no ijma' is lying. The one who says there is a distinction in ijma', that some of it is definitive ijma' and some is probable ijma', yes, this is correct.