What is meant by Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) saying, "Whoever claims consensus has lied"? Does this deny consensus?
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The questioner : Shaykh, regarding the issue of consensus, the statement of Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) is well known. Sometimes, in a specific issue, one might say that consensus is being transmitted. Could you clarify this?
The Shaykh : The consensus that Ahmad and others denied is theoretical consensus, not practical consensus. That is, the outcome of reflection and independent legal reasoning leads a person to claim that this is consensus, but he does not feel certain about such a claim. Therefore, Ahmad clarifies this reality in his complete statement when he says, "And how does he know? Perhaps they differed." He is referring to the theoretical consensus that a person reaches through his own independent legal reasoning; he did not find a dissenting opinion, so he claimed consensus on what he knew. As for the consensus that must be acknowledged and admitted, it is that which is known from the religion by necessity. It is known from the religion by necessity to such a degree that a Muslim cannot imagine any Muslim dissenting on it. This reconciles those who deny consensus with those who affirm it. The affirmed consensus is different from the denied consensus. The affirmed consensus is what is known from the religion by necessity, and this is the most correct statement regarding consensus, which is the view of Ibn Hazm. As for the denied or doubtful consensus, it is the theoretical consensus based on tracking opinions, where one sees so-and-so saying this, and so-and-so saying that, and so-and-so saying this, and concludes that there is consensus on the issue. Imam Ahmad refuted this by saying: "Whoever claims consensus is a liar, and how does he know? Perhaps they differed". This is sound speech with no refutation.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : The consensus that Ahmad and others denied is theoretical consensus, not practical consensus. That is, the outcome of reflection and independent legal reasoning leads a person to claim that this is consensus, but he does not feel certain about such a claim. Therefore, Ahmad clarifies this reality in his complete statement when he says, "And how does he know? Perhaps they differed." He is referring to the theoretical consensus that a person reaches through his own independent legal reasoning; he did not find a dissenting opinion, so he claimed consensus on what he knew. As for the consensus that must be acknowledged and admitted, it is that which is known from the religion by necessity. It is known from the religion by necessity to such a degree that a Muslim cannot imagine any Muslim dissenting on it. This reconciles those who deny consensus with those who affirm it. The affirmed consensus is different from the denied consensus. The affirmed consensus is what is known from the religion by necessity, and this is the most correct statement regarding consensus, which is the view of Ibn Hazm. As for the denied or doubtful consensus, it is the theoretical consensus based on tracking opinions, where one sees so-and-so saying this, and so-and-so saying that, and so-and-so saying this, and concludes that there is consensus on the issue. Imam Ahmad refuted this by saying: "Whoever claims consensus is a liar, and how does he know? Perhaps they differed". This is sound speech with no refutation.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.