This is the solution! – Darul Ma’arif Islamic Boarding School

Darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, May 26, 2025 | 10.00 WIB

Many santri guardians experience anxiety when their children who are studying in pesantren often experience pain. There are those who complain that their children have a fever, prolonged cough, or even fall ill due to weather changes and lifestyle. Not infrequently, guardians of santri feel hesitant between keeping boarding their children or returning to be treated at home. This article aims to examine the problem that is often experienced by the santri guardians to be able to understand and take a proportional attitude, full of faith and sincerity.

Sick as a test and compassion

In Islam, the pain does not only suffer, but also part of the test of faith and the media of sin. SWT SWT says:

And let us give you something frightened and good

Meaning: “We will definitely test you with a little fear and hunger, lack of wealth, soul, and fruit. Say (O Prophet Muhammad,) Happy for patience,”
(Q. Al-Baqoroh Verse 155)

This verse shows that the test, including disease, is part of Divine Tarbiyah (education from God) to increase the level of faith of a servant.

In the hadith, the messenger of God (may peace on it) said:

What affects a Muslim from the skewers.

Meaning: “Not a Muslim is hit by a disaster in the form of fatigue, pain, worry, sadness, disturbance or anxiety until the thorn hurts it but with him Allah will forgive his sins.” (HR. Imam Bukhori and Muslim)

Thus, the pain experienced by santri is not only a disaster, but it can be a path of taqarrub (environment) to God and an invaluable mental education form.

Sick and patience in pursuing science

In the book Diwan Asy-Shafi’iImam Shafi’i emphasized that studying requires patience, including facing physical difficulties in the form of illness:

Anyone who does not feel learning for an hour, insulting ignorance has been ignored throughout his life

Meaning: “Whoever is unable to withstand his tired learning, then he must be able to withstand the pain of ignorance.” (Diwan Asy-Shafi’i)

The pain experienced by students can be part of physical fatigue because of the struggle in order to study. So, instead of being considered as an obstacle, he needs to be interpreted as a fair test in the long journey of a prosecutor of knowledge.

Likewise, Imam Ghozali in the Book of Mukasyatul Qulub, quoted the opinion of Imam Junaid Al-Baghdadi:

Broad knowledgeable disasters about people who are knowledgeable, student alertness, truth of believers, and the death of people who are not inspired

Meaning: “Bala ‘(tests or trials from Allah) is like a lighting for the people of Makrifat, making people who rush to God become aware and wake up, making people who believe better, and a destruction for negligent people.”

Psychological side and role of santri guardians

The worry of the santri guardian of the child’s physical condition is a form grace and affection. But keep in mind, Islam also teaches not to be rushed in making decisions without deliberation and spiritual considerations. Allah SWT said:

So ask people who you don’t know

Meaning: “Then ask those who have knowledge if you don’t know.” (QS An-Nahl verse 43)

The above verse according to Hadlrotus Sheikh KH. Hasyim Asy’ari that Allah requires people not to know one thing to ask those who master in their fields. ” (Muhammad Hasyim Asy’ari, Minutes of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah in Irsyadus Sari, Maktabah Al Masruriyah, page 16)

This is the basis that the guardian needs to consult with the pesantren, clerics, doctors, or pesantren health workers before pulling their children home because of illness that might be handled well in the cottage.

A solution for children who are often sick in pesantren

1. Strengthen prayer and resignation

The santri guardian must instill the belief that Allah heals all kinds of diseases. Although it must be diikhtiyari by treatment. Rosululloh SAW said:

Every disease is a disease, so when the disease is infected with God’s permission, glory for God Almighty

Meaning: “Every disease has a drug. If it matches the medicine with the disease it will heal with the permission of Allah Ta’ala.”

2. Optimize nutrition and a healthy lifestyle

Islamic advocate for health. As Rosululloh said:

You are really in your body.

Meaning: “Indeed, your body has the right to you.” (HR. Imam Bukhori and Muslim)

Common children with knowledge of maintaining cleanliness, healthy eating, and adequate rest.

3. Involve the pesantren and medical personnel

Communicate intensely with a caregiver or room supervisor to ensure health supervision. Many pesantren now have UKS or internal clinics such as Poskestren Pondok Pesantren Darul Ma’arif.

4. Make patients and resignations for children

Invite the child to interpret pain as a form Mujahadah. In the Adab al-‘imal Wa al-Muta’alim KH. Hasyim Asy’ari stated that a knowledge prosecutor must be patient with disturbance, fatigue, and difficulties that come to him.

5. Evaluation of the cottage environment if necessary

If illness often occurs because of a lifestyle that is too hard, it is necessary to evaluate between the guardian and pesantren to create a healthy and comfortable environment.

The illness experienced by students is not the main reason to stop the education process in pesantren, but can be a means of forming a more resilient character. With an approach to faith, patience, and synergy between guardians and pesantren, health problems can be overcome without having to sacrifice the ideals of children’s education. Islam places the test as a path to a higher degree. So, let’s face with strong beliefs, love, and resignation.

Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.