«حكمه: هو حجة كالحديث»
Its ruling is that it serves as a proof, like hadith.
The book is establishing consensus as an evidentiary source in jurisprudence. A properly established ijma‘ is not merely optional advice or a preference for a popular position.
The phrase “like hadith” does not turn consensus into a prophetic report. Hadith transmits Prophetic guidance, while ijma‘ is established agreement among qualified jurists. Their origins and methods of verification differ, though each can support legal reasoning.