WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONSENSUS [IJMA'] IN SHI'ISM AND SUNNISM?

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The Shi'a Scholar Muhammad Sanqur has stated the following:

الفَرق هو أنَّ الإجماع مصدر مستقلَّ من مصادر التَّشريع بنظر علماء السُّنَّة، وأمَّا بنظر الإماميَّة فهو لا يعدو كونه واحدًا من الوسائل الكاشفة عن قول المعصوم، فلذلك هم يقولون أنَّ الإجماع لا يكون حُجَّةً إلاَّ إذا كان المعصوم واقعًا في ضمن المُجمِعِين أو كان كاشفًا عن قبوله بما تبانى عليه المُجمِعُون.

والحمد لله رب العالمين

The difference lies in that consensus is considered an independent source of legislation by Sunni scholars, whereas, according to the Imami [Shi’a] perspective, it is merely a means to reveal the saying of the infallible [ma'sum]. Therefore, they argue that consensus is only binding if the infallible is included among the consensus participants or if it reflects his [the infallible’s] acceptance based on what the consensus participants have agreed upon.

And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. [1] 

Reference

[1] "What is the difference between the Ijma' of the Shi'a and Sunni", Shaykh Muhammad Sanqur, 2007, the Hawza of Al-Huda, Bahrayn

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Question

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Answer

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What is the difference between consensus [ijma'] in Shi'ism and Sunnism?

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