Abū Ya'lā al-Farrā's understanding of consensus (Ijmā') (Within the framework of the work al-'Udda fī Uṣūl al-Fıqh)

This study examines the concept of ijmā' (consensus) through the lens of the Hanbali jurist and legal theorist Abū Ya'lā al-Farrā' (d. 458/1066), focusing on his work al-Udde fī Uṣūl al-Fiqh. In Islamic legal thought, ijmāʿ holds a significant place among the sources of legislation, yet its definition, nature, binding authority, and relationship with other legal proofs have been subject to various interpretations throughout history. This thesis investigates Abū Yaʿlā's original contributions to the discourse on ijmāʿ, thereby deepening the understanding of the Hanbali methodological approach and highlighting his role in the broader debates of legal theory in his time. The study consists of two main sections. The first section introduces Abū Yaʿlā's life, intellectual background, scholarly environment, teachers, students, and written works to provide historical and intellectual context for his views on ijmāʿ. The second section is dedicated to a comprehensive analysis of the concept of ijmāʿ. It explores its linguistic and technical definitions, historical development, essential elements and conditions for its realization, types, evidentiary status, and the question of whether it can be abrogated. Controversial issues such as murakkab ijmāʿ are also addressed. The study presents the views of scholars from different schools of thought on each issue, followed by Abū Yaʿlā's own perspectives, enabling a comparative evaluation. Particular attention is given to his responses to groups he referred to as "opponents" of ijmāʿ, examining both his arguments and the objections raised by these groups based on primary sources. Through this method, the study seeks to demonstrate Abū Yaʿlā's systematic approach and his unique contributions to the science of legal theory. Ultimately, the aim of this research is to provide a comprehensive understanding of Abū Yaʿlā al-Farrāʾ's conception of ijmāʿ, to clarify its position within Islamic legal thought, and to contribute to a better understanding of the inter-school differences regarding this critical issue.