Ijmaʾ can be accepted. Some doctors assert that only the Ijmaʾ of the Mujtahidín who were Asháb (companions); others, that of those who were not only "companions" but descendants" of the "Prophet," can be accepted; whilst others accept the Ijmaʾ of the Ansárs, (helpers,) and of the Muhájarín, (fugitives,) who were dwellers in Medina with Muhammad. The majority of learned Muslim divines, however, appear to think that Ijmaʾ may be collected in every age, although they admit that, owing to the numerous divisions which have arisen amongst Muhammadans, it has not been possible since the days of the Tabaʾ Tabaʾín, (i.e., the followers of the followers of the companions).
The following is considered to be the relative value of Ijmaʾ:—
That of the Asháb (companions) is equal to Hadís Mutawátir. That which was decided afterwards, but in accordance with the unanimous opinion of the Asháb, is equal to Hadís Khaber-i-Mashhúr, and that upon which there was diversity of opinion amongst the Asháb, but has since been decided by the later Mujtahidín is equal to Hadís-i-Khabar-i-Wáhid.
