darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, 25 July 2026 | 09.00 WIB
The world of Islamic boarding schools has a very different spirit from educational institutions in general. In the rooms and foyers of mosques, students are not only taught to accumulate cognitive insight. More than that, Islamic boarding schools are Candradimuka craters where character, manners and spirituality are forged. There is a noble rule that has often been voiced by kyai since ancient times, a sanad of advice which is the main foundation for a meaningful life:
Knowledge comes from learning, blessings come from devotion, and benefits come from obedience
Meaning: “Knowledge is obtained by learning, blessings are by serving, and benefits are by obedience.”
This advice is not just verbal sweetener, but rather a very crucial compass for direction, especially in the first phase of a student’s journey, namely ta’allum or tholabul ilmi.
Looking at today’s phenomena, the biggest challenge for a student or seeker of modern knowledge is not limited facilities, but a shift in orientation in their hearts.
Three Groups of Knowledge Seekers in the Eyes of Imam Al-Ghozali
In his monumental book, Bidayatul Hidayah, Hujjatul Islam Imam Al-Ghozali mapped knowledge seekers into three large groups. This spiritual map becomes a very sharp cracked mirror for all of us to re-examine, where are our intentions at this time?
First group are people who make knowledge a pure provision for the afterlife (zādun ilal ma’ād).
Humans who seek knowledge make it their provision until the end
This is a group that steps forward with absolute sincerity in order to hope for Allah’s pleasure alone. In Islamic boarding school traditions, this group is like a traveler who wants to make a long journey from Indramayu to Jakarta. Along the way, he will definitely pass through the cities of Subang, Karawang and other cities without needing to look for them deliberately. That is the analogy of the afterlife and the world; Whoever puts the afterlife as his main goal, the world will automatically kneel behind him. These are the lucky ones, safe in this world and blessed in the afterlife.
Second group is a group that seeks knowledge only to support worldly affairs (liyasta’īna bihi ‘alā hayātihil ‘ājilah).
A man asks for help in his urgent life
Their existence is very worrying. Knowledge is sought only for the sake of a diploma, social status, prestige, position or other established career. Imam Abu Hamid Muhammad Al-Ghozali warned that the fate of this group was hanging in the balance. What they pursue in this world may not necessarily be achieved, while in the afterlife they are threatened with no reward. The greatest loss will befall if death comes before awareness returns and the door to repentance is already closed.
Third group are people who are caught in Satan’s deception (istahwada ‘alaihisy-syaithān).
And the third person was possessed by a demon
The knowledge they possess is actually transformed into a weapon to accumulate luxurious wealth, show off their high position, and brag about themselves in front of their fellow humans. This group is in the most critical and worrying situation because their hearts are increasingly hardening and increasingly distant from the radiance of guidance from Allah SWT.
The condition of this third group is emphasized by the words of His Majesty Rosululloh SAW through the history of Abu Dzar Al-Ghifari:
Whoever increases his knowledge but does not increase his guidance, then he only increases further from God.
Meaning: “Whoever increases his knowledge but does not increase his guidance, then nothing increases him except his distance from Allah.” (Al-Hadith, quoted from the book Bidayatul Hidayah: Al-Ghozali, Darul Fikr: Beirut, 2016)
It is a very frightening irony when closeness to holy books and religious literature actually becomes the hijab that distances a servant from the Creator.
Harmony of Intentions Between Santri and Guardians of Santri
It is important to remember that straightening out intentions in seeking knowledge should not be placed on the shoulders of the students alone.
The successful transfer of knowledge and blessings in Islamic boarding schools requires intimate spiritual frequency harmony between the students in the boarding school and their parents (guardians of the students) at home. When parents let their children go with the sincerity of lillah, freeing their intentions from mere worldly prestige, then the positive energy radiates will make it easier for the child to absorb every bit of example and knowledge from his teacher.
Therefore, every time you step through the gates of the Islamic boarding school, a reflective question must continue to echo within your heart: “What are you really looking for in this place?” Are our hearts captivated by the architectural splendor of the building? Are we lulled by the completeness of the facilities? Or are we just looking for a circle of friends just to have fun?
Let the deepest conscience of each of us answer it. However, always remember that true knowledge will only be firmly rooted in a clean soul, sprout through sincere service, and bear sweet fruit in consistent obedience.
Hopefully we will not be among those who are at a loss, but rather will be seekers of knowledge who will always be sheltered by eternal blessings and benefits.
Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.
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