PESANTREN IN DYNAMIC TRANSFORMATION: Harmonizing Classical Roots and Modern Practices
Abstract
Caught between the pull of tradition and the push of modernity, pesantren is undergoing a crucial transformation in the landscape of Indonesian Islamic education. This study explores how pesantrens maintain their classical roots while integrating modern educational practices. It employs a narrative review with data collected from relevant peer-reviewed literature. These data are synthesized according to common themes and analyzed qualitatively. The review reveals that, despite external pressures (e.g., colonial rule and state policies) and its active role in civil society, pesantren continues to preserve traditional Islam by sustaining classical Islamic scholarship, moral teachings, and kyai-led authority. At the same time, modernization has strongly influenced pesantren education, with many institutions expanding their curricula, adopting inclusive governance, utilizing digital tools, and aligning with national education policies to strengthen institutional capacity and relevance. These pesantrens demonstrate a careful balancing act; they selectively integrate modern educational reforms while upholding their religious traditions although certain issues still merit further attention. Overall, these findings underscore the pesantren’s resilience, adaptability, and significance in today’s Indonesian educational context.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Afandi, A. J. “Islam and Local Culture: The Acculturation Formed by Walisongo in Indonesia.” Indonesian Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 4, no. 1 (2023): 103–24. https://doi.org/10.33367/ijhass.v4i1.4135.
Asrohah, H. “The Dynamics of Pesantren: Responses toward Modernity and Mechanism in Organizing Transformation.” Journal of Indonesian Islam 5, no. 1 (2011): 66–90. https://doi.org/10.15642/JIIS.2011.5.1.66-90.
Azizah, N., J.A. Yusrina, E.D. Nugraini, and L.N. Zulfa. “‘Humanizing Humans’ in Inclusive Pesantren: The Role of Peer Support in Promoting Self-Efficacy and Independence.” Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun 13, no. 2 (2025): 987–1020. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i2.1876.
Azra, A. Jaringan Ulama Timur Tengah dan Kepulauan Nusantara Abad XVII & XVIII: Melacak Akar-Akar Pembaruan Pemikiran Islam di Indonesia. Jakarta: Prenada Media, 2004.
Barton, G. “The Gülen Movement, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama: Progressive Islamic Thought, Religious Philanthropy and Civil Society in Turkey and Indonesia.” Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations 25, no. 3 (2014): 287–301. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410.2014.916124%0A.
Bruinessen, M. V. Kitab Kuning, Pesantren, dan Tarekat: Tradisi-Tradisi Islam di Indonesia. Bandung: Mizan, 1995.
———. “Pesantren and Kitab Kuning: Maintenance and Continuation of a Tradition of Religious Learning.” In Texts from the Islands: Oral and Written Traditions of Indonesia and the Malay World, edited by Wolfgang Marschall, 121–45. Berne: University of Berne, 1994.
Budiharso, T., and T. Suharto. “A New Paradigm of Pesantren Management in the Perspective of Social Change in the Globalization Era.” Eurasian Journal of Educational Research 100, no. 1 (2022): 90–103. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2022.100.007.
Dhoûer, Z. The Pesantren Tradition: The Role of the Kyai in the Maintenance of Traditional Islam in Java. Arizona, USA: Program for Southeast Asian Studies, ASU, 1999.
Esposito, J. L. The Islamic Threat: Myth or Reality? Oxford, GB: Oxford University Press, 1992.
Fahmi, M., M. Hilmy, and S. Prasetia. “Organic Tolerance and Harmony in the Pesantren Bali Bina Insani.” Ulumuna 26, no. 2 (2023): 500–524. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v26i2.567.
Fatmawati, E., B. Suhartov, M. Dahlan, W. Suhma, and A. Yudiawan. “Challenges of Educational Management in the Islamic Higher Education Sector Based on Pesantren.” Journal of Educational and Social Research 13, no. 1 (2023): 105–18. https://doi.org/10.36941/jesr-2023-0151.
Fauzi, M.L. “Traditional Islam in Javanese Society: The Roles of Kyai and Pesantren in Preserving Islamic Tradition and Negotiating Modernity.” Journal of Indonesian Islam 6, no. 1 (2012): 125–44. doi: 10.15642/JIIS.2012.6.1.125-144.
Harnadi, D., H. Siahaan, and M. Hilmy. “Pesantren and the Preservation of Traditional Religious Authority in the Digital Age.” Masyarakat, Kebudayaan, & Politik 34, no. 3 (2021): 272–280. https://doi.org/10.20473/mkp.V34I32021.272-280.
Hasan, N., M. Mardhatillah, M. Abadi, and A. Hidayat. “Environmental Activism in Indonesian Pesantren: The Role of Lora in Mainstreaming Islamic Eco-Theology in Tapal Kuda, East Java.” Teosofi: Jurnal Tasawuf Dan Pemikiran Islam 12, no. 2 (2022): 280–306. https://doi.org/10.15642/teosofi.2022.12.2.280-306.
Hasibuan, A., N. M. Mumtaz, K. Anwar, M. M. Abdul Haq, and A. Nurjaman. “Sufistic Approach of Character Education in an Indonesian Islamic Boarding School.” Miqot 49, no. 1 (2025): 184–204. https://doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v49i1.1332.
Hefner, R. “Islamic Schools, Social Movements, and Democracy in Indonesia.” In Making Modern Muslims: The Politics of Islamic Education in Southeast Asia, edited by R. Hefner, 55–105. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2008. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824863463-004.
Ihsan, I., M. Pabbajah, I. Abdullah, and H. Hidayati. “The Contestation of National and Religious Curricula in Indonesia’s Madrasas since the Passage of the UUSPN.” Educational Studies 50, no. 1 (2021): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03055698.2021.1958757.
Isbah, M. F. “Pesantren in the Changing Indonesian Context: History and Current Developments.” QIJIS: Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies 8, no. 1 (2020): 65–106. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v8i1.5629.
Isbah, M. F., and Z. Sakhiyya. “Pesantren in Contemporary Indonesia: Negotiating between Equity and the Market.” In Education in Indonesia: Critical Perspectives on Equity and Social Justice, edited by Z. Sakhiyya and T. W. Mulya, 137–52. Singapore: Springer, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-1878-2_8.
Islam, M., M. Fadlan, and A. Abdullah. “Resisting the 19th Century Colonial Politics of Exile: The Study of Kiai Ahmad Arrifai Kalisalak and Kiai Hasan Maolani Kuningan Letters.” Wawasan: Jurnal Ilmiah Agama & Sosial Budaya 6, no. 1 (2021): 31–42. https://doi.org/10.15575/jw.v6i1.10559.
Ismail, S., H. Sabri, H. Asari, M. Yamin, and M. M. Yunus. “Fostering Emotional and Moral Development in Islamic Boarding Schools: The Impact of Talaqqî and Halaqa Traditions.” Jurnal Pendidikan Islam 10, no. 1 (2024): 13–24. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v0i0.35124.
Ja’far, M. Syahnan, Asrul, Z. Dahlan, and S. Ritonga. “Discovering the Legacy of Mandailing Ulama: Education, Intellectuals, and Politics in North Sumatra in the Early 20th Century.” Ulumuna 26, no. 2 (2022): 296–336. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v26i2.502.
Kasdi, A. “The Role of Walisongo in Developing the Islam Nusantara Civilization.” Addin 11, no. 1 (2017): 1–28. https://doi.org/10.21043/addin.v11i1.1973.
Kawakip, A. “Globalization and Islamic Educational Challenges: Views from East Javanese Pesantren.” Ulumuna 24, no. 1 (2020): 105–31. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v24i1.385.
Kosim, M., F. Muqoddam, F. Mubarok, and N. Q. Laila. “The Dynamics of Islamic Education Policies in Indonesia.” Cogent Education 10, no. 1 (2023): 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2172930.
Lubis, A., M. Bakar, and A. Fuad. “Islamic Thought of KH. M. Hasyim Asy’ari in Fostering Love for the Motherland.” Fikrotuna: Jurnal Pendidikan & Manajemen Islam 14, no. 2 (2024): 52–65. https://doi.org/10.32806/jf.v14i2.556.
Lukens-Bull, R. “Pesantren, Madrasa, and the Future of Islamic Education in Indonesia.” Kawalu: Journal of Local Culture 6, no. 1 (2019): 29–48. https://doi.org/10.32678/kawalu.v6i1.2044.
———. “Two Sides of the Same Coin: Modernity and Tradition in Islamic Education in Indonesia.” Anthropology & Education Quarterly 32, no. 3 (2001): 350–72. https://doi.org/10.1525/aeq.2001.32.3.350.
Mahmudah, S., F. Fakhruddin, and A. Rifai. “The Implementation of Vocational Education Programs in Pondok Pesantren Al-Qur’an Gumawang Wiradesa Pekalongan.” Educational Management 8, no. 1 (2019): 61–69. https://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/eduman/article/view/29390.
Mappiasse, S., and H. Hayadin. “Students’ Religious Tolerance: Comparing Muslim Students at Public Schools and Pesantren.” Journal of Indonesian Islam 16, no. 2 (2022): 326–51. https://doi.org/10.15642/JIIS.2022.16.2.326-351.
Maraulang, M. “KH. Ahmad Dahlan and the Muhammadiyah Movement: Trailblazers of Educational Transformation in Indonesia.” International Journal of Asian Education 6, no. 1 (2025): 164–75. https://doi.org/10.46966/ijae.v6i1.427.
Mujahid, I. “Islamic Orthodoxy-Based Character Education: Creating Moderate Muslim in a Modern Pesantren in Indonesia.” Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies 11, no. 2 (2021): 185–212. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v11i2.185-212.
Munjid, A. “Abdurrahman Wahid’s Contribution for Inter-Religious Dialogue in Indonesia.” Aqlam: Journal of Islam and Plurality 5, no. 1 (2020): 44–62. https://doi.org/10.30984/ajip.v5i1.1134.
Nafis, M. M. “Pesantren and Interfaith Dialogue.” Al-Tahrir: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam 22, no. 2 (2022): 251–72. https://doi.org/10.21154/altahrir.v22i2.3831.
Nasir, M., S. Rizal, Zainuddin, Muhibuddin, and Mulyadi. “From Tradition to Transformation: Decontextualization of Dayah in Aceh’s Millennial Context.” Journal of Contemporary Islam and Muslim Societies 8, no. 2 (2024): 157–176. https://doi.org/10.30821/jcims.v8i2.21612.
Nilan, P. “The ‘Spirit of Education’ in Indonesian Pesantren.” British Journal of Sociology of Education 30, no. 2 (2009): 219–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425690802700321.
Nur Aulia, R., A. Setianingsih, Kurniawati, and S. Narulita. “Pesantren-Based Disaster Mitigation Strategy: Case Study at Pondok Pesantren Darunnajah Cipining Bogor.” In Annual Conference on Environmental Science, Society and Its Application, 1–7. Purwokerto, Indonesia: IOP Publishing Ltd., 2019. https://doi.org/DOI 10.1088/1755-1315/391/1/012049.
Nurtawab, E., and D. Wahyudi. “Restructuring Traditional Islamic Education in Indonesia: Challenges for Pesantren Institution.” Studia Islamika 29, no. 1 (2022): 55–81. https://doi.org/10.36712/sdi.v29i1.17414.
Pohl, F. “Islamic Education and Civil Society: Reflections on the Pesantren Tradition in Contemporary Indonesia.” Comparative Education Review 50, no. 3 (2006): 389–409. https://doi.org/10.1086/503882.
———. “Negotiating Religious and National Identities in Contemporary Indonesian Islamic Education.” Religious Studies Review 61, no. 3 (2011): 399–414. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-3881.2011.00189.x.
Raihani. “Report on Multicultural Education in Pesantren.” Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education 42, no. 4 (2012): 585–605. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2012.672255.
Rohman, A., S. Muhtamiroh, A. Imron, and N. Miyono. “Integrating Traditional-Modern Education in Madrasa to Promote Competitive Graduates in the Globalization Era.” Cogent Education 10, no. 2 (2023): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2268456.
Rosowulan, T., A. F. Hasyim, M. Sholikhun, Purwanto, A. Djamil, M. In’amuzzahidin, and R. Wijaya. “Pesantren’s Knowledge Identity Crisis in the Digital Era.” Jurnal Ilmiah Peuradeun 13, no. 1 (2025): 49–76. https://doi.org/10.26811/peuradeun.v13i1.1287.
Sarwenda, H. Rahim, D. Rosyada, A. Zamhari, and A. Salim. “Development of Digital Entrepreneurship Programs in Pesantren in Indonesia.” In Religion, Education, Science and Technology towards a More Inclusive and Sustainable Future, edited by Maila D.H. Rahiem, 1st ed., 273–78. London: Routledge, 2024. doi: 10.1201/9781003322054-46.
Sirry, M. “The Public Expression of Traditional Islam: The Pesantren and Civil Society in Post Suharto Indonesia.” The Muslim World 100, no. 1 (2010): 60–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-1913.2009.01302.x.
Sumawinata, S., T. Suryana, and G. Subakti. “Wayang as a Media for Spreading Islam in the Archipelago.” El Tarikh: Journal of History, Culture and Islamic Civilization 3, no. 2 (2022): 96–111. https://doi.org/10.24042/jhcc.v3i2.8927.
Susylowati, E., S. Sumarlam, W. Abdullah, and S. Marmanto. “Communication Used by Female Santri as Part of Their Social Interaction in Indonesian Modern Pesantren.” International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change 9, no. 7 (2019): 77–94. https://www.ijicc.net/images/vol9iss7/9707_Susylowati_2019_E_R.pdf.
Tolchah, M., and M. Mu’ammar. “Islamic Education in the Globalization Era: Challenges, Opportunities, and Contribution of Islamic Education in Indonesia.” Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews 7, no. 4 (2019): 1031–1037. https://doi.org/10.18510/hssr.2019.74141.
Ubaidillah, U., and M. F. Faiz. “Beyond the Sacred Walls: Reimagining Pesantren’s Architecture of Islamic Moderation.” Ulumuna 29, no. 1 (2025): 32–70. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v29i1.1362.
Yusuf, M., and A. Taufiq. “The Dynamic Views of Kiais in Response to the Government Regulations for the Development of Pesantren.” Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies 8, no. 1 (2020): 1–20. https://doi.org/10.21043/qijis.v8i1.6716.
Zuhdi, M. “Modernization of Indonesian Islamic Schools’ Curricula 1945-2003.” International Journal of Inclusive Education 10, no. 4–5 (2006): 415–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603110500430765
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v49i2.1459
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
MIQOT: Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman (P-ISSN: 0852-0720; E-ISSN: 2502-3616) by http://jurnalmiqotojs.uinsu.ac.id/index.php/jurnalmiqot/index is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright �2023 Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara Medan. Powered by Public Knowledge Project OJS.