---
title: "Ijma: Consensus in Islamic Law | Model Diplomat"
description: "Ijma is the consensus of qualified Muslim jurists on Islamic law, recognized as a key source of Sharīʿah after the Qurʾān and Sunnah."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/ijma"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Ijmāʿ is the consensus of qualified Muslim jurists (mujtahidūn) of a particular era on a question of Islamic law, recognised as the third source of the Sharīʿah after the Qurʾān and Sunnah.
- What is the textual basis of Ijmāʿ as a source of law?
- Distinguish between ṣarīḥ and sukūtī ijmāʿ.?
- How do Sunnī and Shīʿī conceptions of ijmāʿ differ?
- Is collective ijtihād by modern fiqh academies a form of ijmāʿ?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research Ijma like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Ijma

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Ijma](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Ijma%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In 651 CE Caliph ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān had the Qurʾān compiled into a single authoritative codex and ordered variant copies destroyed; the Companions' unanimous acceptance of this muṣḥaf is cited as a classic instance of ijmāʿ.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

Lessons

[Islamic Studies Css Compulsory Scope](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/css-islamic-studies-islamic-studies-css-compulsory-scope)[Major Schools Of Islamic Thought Jurisprudence](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/css-islamic-studies-major-schools-of-islamic-thought-jurisprudence)

Courses

[Css Islamic Studies](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/courses/css-islamic-studies)

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Ijma beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.