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:

1. 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, leading to uncertainty in the leadership direction after the kyai passes away.

Data: Around 70% of pesantren in Indonesia do not have a written guideline for leadership succession (source: PPIM UIN Jakarta Study, 2023).

2. Internal Family Conflicts

Family-based succession often leads to conflicts among family members, especially when more than one child or relative feels entitled to inherit the leadership role.

Case example: In several major pesantren in East and West Java, internal divisions have occurred, resulting in the formation of two separate pesantren factions after the kyai’s death.

Data: There have been 35 cases of succession-related conflicts in the last 10 years that led to internal splits in pesantren (source: Kompas Daily Report, 2022).

3. Lack of Early Leadership Training

Many pesantren fail to prepare future leaders early on. The kyai’s children or potential successors are often not provided with adequate managerial or scholarly experience, making them unprepared to lead when the time comes.

Data: Only around 28% of pesantren have leadership development programs for second or third-generation successors (study by RMI-NU, 2021).

4. Issues of Scholarly Legitimacy and Charisma

The kyai is a central figure in the pesantren, often revered for their charisma and scholarly authority. Successors who lack these qualities often struggle to gain legitimacy from students (santri) and the broader community.

Narrative: A kyai’s charisma cannot be easily inherited. Many structurally legitimate successors fail to receive moral support from the pesantren community.

5. Dependence on a Central Figure

Some pesantren are heavily dependent on a single kyai figure. When he passes away, the institution’s activities slow down due to the absence of a replacement figure with equivalent authority and leadership.

Data: A study of 100 pesantren found that 60% experienced stagnation in activities for 6–12 months after the kyai’s death (source: LP3M UIN Malang, 2022).

Conclusion

Succession in pondok pesantren is a complex issue involving structural, cultural, and emotional dimensions. If not properly addressed, succession can become a vulnerable point that weakens the existence and influence of the pesantren. Systematic measures are needed, such as the formulation of clear succession guidelines, early leadership training, and the establishment of collective leadership teams to reduce dependency on a single figure. By doing so, pesantren can continue to grow and contribute to the Muslim community in a sustainable way.

References

1. Azra, Azyumardi. Pendidikan Islam: Tradisi dan Modernisasi Menuju Milenium Baru. Jakarta: Logos Wacana Ilmu, 1999.
2. Dhofier, Zamakhsyari. Tradisi Pesantren: Studi tentang Pandangan Hidup Kyai. Jakarta: LP3ES, 1982.
3. Ridwan, Ahmad. “Kepemimpinan Kiai dan Problematika Suksesi di Lingkungan Pesantren.” Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2020, pp. 45–60.
4. Rusydiyah, Nurul. “Kaderisasi Kepemimpinan Kiai di Pesantren: Studi Kasus di Pesantren Lirboyo.” Jurnal Al-Tahrir, Vol. 20, No. 2, 2020, pp. 329–350.
5. RMI-NU (Rabithah Ma’ahid Islamiyah Nahdlatul Ulama). Laporan Nasional Kaderisasi dan Manajemen Pesantren di Indonesia. Jakarta: RMI-NU, 2021.
6. PPIM UIN Jakarta. Potret Keberlanjutan Pesantren di Indonesia: Studi tentang Suksesi dan Kelembagaan. Jakarta: Pusat Pengkajian Islam dan Masyarakat (PPIM), 2023.
7. Kompas. “Suksesi Kiai Rentan Picu Konflik di Pesantren.” Harian Kompas, 17 August 2022. https://www.kompas.id
8. LP3M UIN Maliki Malang. Laporan Penelitian: Dampak Kematian Kiai terhadap Dinamika Pesantren. Malang: LP3M UIN Maliki, 2022.
9. Zuhri, Saiful. “Genealogi Kepemimpinan di Pesantren: Antara Warisan dan Kapasitas.” Jurnal Islamika, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2021, pp. 123–137.