Jumhur
*Jumhur* means the majority: most scholars, or most of the established schools, holding one view against a real minority.
What it means for me: The word tells you one thing clearly: more scholars hold this view than the alternative. It does not mean the question is closed, and it does not put the minority outside real scholarship. Seeing the word at all is itself a sign that a genuine difference exists.
Example: An answer says the majority held one view, while some scholars held another. That single sentence tells you two things: which view has wider support, and that a real difference exists on the question.
Do not confuse with: *Ijma*, consensus. Ijma is agreement with no dissenting scholar at all; jumhur is a majority that still leaves a real minority standing.
If scholars differ: Scholars sometimes differ on who counts within the majority for a specific question. One writer may count schools of law; another may count individual scholars across them. The difference is named here as a difference and not decided; the mufti is the reference.
See the term in context
Is it permissible to act according to the Maliki opinion concerning the ablution (wudu') of a person with urinary incontinence (sahib al-sils) outside the home due to necessity, while acting according to the opinion of the majority (jumhur) inside the home, and what is the ruling on that?
It is not obligatory to repeat the head covering and the reservation for every prayer according to the Hanbalis, and this removes hardship. Wudu (ablution) must be performed for every prayer after its time has begun,…
What is the ruling on adopting the view of the majority (jumhur) permitting the suspension of divorce upon marriage to a woman, despite the differences among other jurisprudential schools of thought? Is this considered hypocrisy or eclecticism? If a person suspends divorce upon marrying a girl, can this suspension be revoked before marrying her, and what is the ruling on uttering the revocation of the suspension? What are the conditions and pillars that must be present for the suspension of divorce to be valid, and is doubt about uttering divorce due to obsessive thoughts considered as proof of it?
In summary: It appears that the questioner has been afflicted by extensive whispering (waswasa). The advice is to completely disregard these whispers, not to pay any attention to them, to consult a psychiatrist, to seek…
What is the ruling on acting upon a weak opinion (qawl marjuh) or one that goes against the the majority (mukhalif lil-jumhur) to remove harm, hardship, embarrassment, and obsessive doubts (waswasah)?
It is permissible to adopt some juristic opinions out of necessity, as long as a person does not make it a habit. Waswasah (obsessive doubt) is among the excuses that permit such concessions.
Questions that use it
What is meant by the following terms: Hadith Sahih (authentic Hadith), Hadith Hasan (good Hadith), Hadith Gharib (rare Hadith), Hadith Da'if (weak Hadith), Hadith Munqati' (disconnected Hadith), and Jumhur al-'Ulama' (the majority of scholars)?
Is it permissible to re-formulate the marriage contract verbally in the presence of the guardian and witnesses so that it becomes Islamically valid and free of doubt, knowing that the first contract was concluded without a guardian, based on the fatwa of two marriage officials in the questioner's country?
Are the prayers and acts of worship of one who was ignorant of the rulings on major ritual impurity for a year and a half valid, and must he make them up or offer expiation now?