What does Al-ijmaʿ mean?

Islam > Glossary > Al-ijmaʿ

Discover the meaning of the term Al-ijmaʿ (إجماع) in Islamic vocabulary.

Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition Al-ijmaʿ

Al-ijmaʿ according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

In language: resolve and agreement; technically: the agreement of the mujtahids of Muhammad's community, in a single age, upon a religious matter.

Al-ijmaʿ according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

The complete resolve of a body of the people of bond and contract upon a matter.

Al-ijmaʿ according to Mu'jam al-Mustalahat al-Fiqhiyya

In language: resolve and agreement; if taken from the transitive ajma'a it means complete resolve: one says 'I resolved (ajma'tu) upon the journey and the matter'; hence God's saying: 'unite your resolve (fa-ajmi'u amrakum)'.

Al-ijmaʿ according to Maqalid al-'Ulum (As-Suyuti)

The agreement of the people of bond and contract of Muhammad's community.

Al-ijmaʿ according to At-Tawqif (Al-Munawi)

The agreement of the community's mujtahids, after their prophet's death, in a single age, upon any matter, without the condition of a number amounting to wide transmission, contrary to the Imam (al-Shafi'i).

Al-ijmaʿ according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

In language: resolve; technically: the agreement of the mujtahids of Muhammad's community, in an age, upon a religious matter; also: the complete resolve of a body of the people of bond and contract upon a matter.

Related terms: Al-ijmaʿ

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إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ