بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Q: Is the opinion of the majority (of scholars) deemed ijmaa (consensus)?
A: No, the majorities’ opinion is not considered as consensus, it is only deemed as the majorities’ opinion and that’s it. For this reason the four Imams (whenever they all agreed on a matter) it was not said about them they had consensus on the contrary it would be said that they agreed. The four imams had agreement in such and such an issue however it is not said a consensus (among all scholars). An agreement (among the four) is not a consensus (among all the scholars).
Translated by Najeeb Al Anjelesi
Source: http://www.alfawzan.af.org.sa/node/2388