The History of the Establishment of the Jombang Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in Indonesia

The History of the Establishment of the Jombang Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, Starting with Only 8 Santri to the Threat of Crime

The Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School was founded by KH Hasyim Asy'ari (Kyai Hasyim) in 1899. Kyai Hasyim founded the pesantren after taking religious education in Mecca, in the period 1893 – 1899.

Before the existence of the pesantren , the Tebuireng area was a a place of all kinds of crime. Robbery, gambling, and adultery characterize the area. You could say, the Tebuireng area is an area that is far from religious values.

According to the book by Zuhairi Misrawi, Hadratussyaikh Hasyim Asy'ary: Moderation, Community and Nationality, actually his family and friends have tried to convince Kyai Hasyim not to establishpesantren in the Tebuireng area .

The threat of criminality and the behavior of people who are far from religious values ​​will make the learning process difficult for the students.

However, Kyai Hasyim continued to establish a pesantren in the Tebuireng area . The reason is that broadcasting Islam should indeed be done in the Tebuireng area , which is still far from religious values, not in the place of people who already understand religion. What Kyai Hasyim did was a jihad that was also carried out by the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

In the end, the Tebuireng pesantren was established in Jombang in 1899. The beginning of the establishment of the pesantren , started from 8 students who stayed in Tebuireng. Then 28 students increased after 3 months.

Things to worry about when setting up Islamic boarding schools in areas full of crime also occur. Pesantren Tebuireng is often terrorized by criminals. Every night, the students did not dare to sleep close to the wall. Because criminals often stick sharp weapons to attack the students.

In the end, Kyai Hasyim took the initiative to equip himself and his students with the knowledge of pencak silat from the kyai in Cirebon, such as Kyai Saleh, Kyai Abdullah, Kyai Syamsuri and Kyai Abdul Jamil.

The efforts of Kyai Hasyim were also effective. External threats can be suppressed. In addition, the da'wah delivered by Kyai Hasyim was able to be accepted by local residents. Because, Kyai Hasyim's character and grace are the main attraction.

Finally, gradually the Tebuireng area became a religious place and far from actions that violate norms and religion.

Until now, the recorded number of students studying at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School has reached 4000 male and female students. Even though it is currently listed as the largest Islamic boarding school , in fact the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School has experienced a void of activity during the Japanese colonial period in Indonesia.

This was due to the arrest of Kyai Hasyim by the Japanese because Kyai Hasyim did not want to do saikerei, or an act that is carried out every 07.00 am, by bowing towards Tokyo which is a symbol of respect for the Emperor of Japan.

Kyai Hasyim argues that this is contrary to the Islamic creed, namely that a Muslim should not worship other than Allah SWT. And worshiping humans (subject to the Emperor of Japan), is wrong. Therefore, Kyai Hasyim became a prisoner of the Japanese army.

The detention of Kyai Hasyim resulted in the Tebuireng Pesantren not having any learning activities for the students. This is a symbol of the concern of the students and the board of directors for the capture of Kyai Hasyim As'ari by the Japanese.

The rise and fall of the Tebuireng pesantren Until now, it has become one of the symbols of KH Hasyim Asy'ari's success in broadcasting Islam in Jombang. According to Zamakhsyari Dhofier, in Pesantren Tradition: A Study of Kyai's Way of Life, it is stated that Pesantren Tebuireng is the provider of pesantren leaders in Java and Madura.***