The Issue of Succession in Islamic Boarding Schools (Pondok Pesantren)
By Dr. Abdul Wadud Nafis, LC., MEI Pondok pesantren are Islamic educational institutions that play a strategic role in shaping the character, knowledge, and spirituality of Muslims in Indonesia. Most pesantren are family-based, where leadership is traditionally passed down through generations within the founder’s or kyai’s family circle. However, the process of leadership transition or succession in pesantren often faces various challenges. This article outlines the issues surrounding succession in pesantren, viewed from structural, cultural, and personal aspects, supported by data and narrative explanations. Based on various studies and observations of pesantren in Indonesia, several key issues in the succession process have been identified, including: Lack of a Clear Succession System Many pesantren lack formal guidelines or systems regarding succession mechanisms. Leadership tends to be inherited biologically without structural preparedness,…