Imam al-Shafi s Understanding of Ijma (Consensus)

Abstract

Imam al-Shafi, who occupies an important place in the process of formation and development of Methodology of Islamic law and has a central location in this process and the subsequent impact on Methodologists of Islamic law, has got extremely complex ideas about ijma . To understand Imam al-Shafi s approach to ijmâ, we need first to understand his theory of knowledge. In theory, he denies the ijma of majorities and the ijma of local people, for instance the ijma of Madinah people, to seek ideal ijma . However in practice, he had to accept the ijma of majorities, as it was accepted i accordance with the classical Islamic jurisprudence tradition.

Özet

İslam hukuk metodolojisinin oluşum ve gelişim süreci içinde önemli bir yer işgal edip bu süreçte merkezi bir konumda bulunan ve sonraki İslam hukuk usûlcülerini etkilemiş olan İmâm Şâfiînin icmâ hakkındaki düşünceleri son derece karmaşıktır. Onun icmâa dair yaklaşımının anlaşılabilmesi, bilgi teorisini anlamaktan geçer. İmâm Şâfiî, teoride ideal icmâı arayarak çoğunluğun ve Medine ehlinin icmâı gibi belli bir bölgenin icmâını reddetmiş, pratikte ise klasik fıkıh usulü geleneğince de kabul gören çoğunluğun icmâını kabul etmek zorunda kalmıştır. Anahtar Kelimeler: İmâm Şâfiî, İcmâ, Bilgi, İslam Hukuk Metodolojisi, Edille-i Şeriyye Imam al-Shafis Understanding of Ijma (Consensus) Imam al-Shafi, who occupies an important place in the process of formation and development of Methodology of Islamic law and has a central location in this process and the subsequent impact on Methodologists of Islamic law, has got extremely complex ideas about ijma. To understand Imam al-Shafis approach to ijmâ, we need first to understand his theory of knowledge. In theory, he denies the ijma of majorities and the ijma of local people, for instance the ijma of Madinah people, to seek ideal ijma. However in practice, he had to accept the ijma of majorities, as it was accepted i accordance with the classical Islamic jurisprudence tradition.