The History of the Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School, Tasikmalaya West Java Indonesia

The History of the Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School, Founded in 1905

The Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School was pioneered by Sheikh Abdullah bin Nur Muhammad, also known as Abah Sepuh. During his pioneering period, he experienced many obstacles and obstacles, both from the Dutch colonial government and from the surrounding community.

Not to mention, the pioneering of the pesantren is also constrained by the natural environment or geographical location which is quite difficult.

However, the various obstacles and obstacles can be overcome, with the blessing of the teacher from Abah Sepuh, namely Shaykh Tholhah bin Talabudin Kalisapu Cirebon. Until 7 Rajab 1323 H or September 5, 1905, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nur Muhammad was able to establish a boarding school even though with the initial capital of a mosque located in Godebag Village, Tanjung Kerta Village, Pagerageung District,  Tasikmalaya Regency , with the name Pesantren Suryalaya .

The name itself is taken from the Sundanese term, namely Surya which means the sun and Laya which means the place of sunrise. So Suryalaya literally means Place of the Rising Sun.

Initially, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nur Muhammad was hesitant. Luckily, he was motivated and encouraged by the special guidance of his teacher, Shaykh Tholhah bin Talabudin. Three years after its establishment or in 1908, Abah Sepuh received khirqoh or strengthening legitimacy as a murshid teacher from Shaykh Tholhah bin Talabudin.

Over time, the Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School grew and received recognition and sympathy from the community, educational facilities were also increasing, as was the number of followers/students who were commonly called ikhwans.

Support and acknowledgment from ulama, community leaders, and regional leaders are also getting stronger. Until the existence of the Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School with its Tariqah Qadiriyah Naqsabandiyah began to be recognized and needed. For the smooth running of Abah Sepuh's task in spreading T hariqah Qadiriyah Naqsabandiyah he was assisted by nine talqin representatives , and he left a will to be used as a guide and fabrication of unity and unity of the students or brothers, namely Tanbih.

Abdullah bin Nur Muhammad or Abah Sepuh passed away to Rahmattullah in 1956 at the age of 120 years. His leadership and discipleship were delegated to his fifth son, namely KH. Ahmad Shohibulwafa Tajul Arifin who is familiarly called Abah Anom .

In the early days of Abah Anom 's leadership , there were also many disturbing obstacles, including the DI/TII rebellion. At that time the Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School was often disturbed and attacked. More than 48 attacks were carried out by DI/TII. Also during the PKI rebellion in 1965, Abah Anom helped the government a lot to revive former PKI members, to return to the right path according to Islam and the state.

The development of the Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School is getting faster and more advanced, the improving security situation after the DI/TII rebellion has made more and more people who want to learn Tariqah Qadiriyah Naqsabandiyah and they come from various regions in Indonesia. Also with the dissemination carried out by representatives of talqin and preachers, this effort also serves to preserve the teachings contained in the principles of the goals of Thariqah Qadiriyah, Naqsabandiyah and Tanbih . From year to year Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School is growing.

In accordance with the demands of the times, on March 11, 1961 on the initiative of H. Sewaka (late) former Governor of West Java (1947-1952) and former Minister of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia Iwa Kusuma Sumantri (late) (1952-1953). The Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School's Multipurpose Foundation was formed . This foundation was formed with the aim of assisting Abah Anom 's task in spreading the Tariqah Qadiriyah Naqsabandiyah and in an effort to educate the nation's life.

After that, Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School was increasingly known to all corners of Indonesia, even to Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Thailand, followed by Australia, countries in Europe and America. Thus, the  development of the Tariqah Qadiriyah Naqsabandiyah teachings  was even more widespread, for that Abah Anom was assisted by representatives of  talqin  spread almost throughout Indonesia, as well as representatives of talqin who were abroad as mentioned above.

During the leadership of Abah Anom , Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School played an active role in Religious, Social, Educational, Agricultural, Health, Environment and State activities. This is evident from the awards he received from the president, the central government and local governments, and even from the international community for his achievements and services. Thus the existence or existence of the Suryalaya Islamic Boarding School is getting stronger and more and more needed by all mankind. [*]