Redefining Islamic Pedagogy: A Transformative Approach to 21st-Century Education in Indonesian Pesantren

Taufikin Taufikin

doi:10.28944/maharot.v9i1.2033

Redefining Islamic Pedagogy: A Transformative Approach to 21st-Century Education in Indonesian Pesantren

Taufikin Taufikin

Abstract

This study aims to explore the implementation of transformative pedagogy in the context of pesantren education in the digital era, focusing on Al Mawaddah Entrepreneurial Islamic Boarding School in Kudus, Central Java. Employing a qualitative approach with a case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews to fourteen informans with Kiai, Uztaz and Senior santri, participatory observation, and documentation. The discoveries appear this pesantren has successfully integrated Islamic values, entrepreneurial skills, and digital technology into the curriculum and daily learning practices. Strategies such as practice-based learning, integration of social media for da'wah and business, and 21st-century adaptive curriculum strengthen the relevance of pesantren education in facing global challenges. Despite facing challenges such as limited infrastructure and cultural resistance, pesantren shows excellent potential in shaping a contextualized and progressive model of Islamic education.

Keywords

Transformative pedagogy; Boarding school education; Student entrepreneurship; Digitalization of Islamic education

References

Abdul-Jabbar, W. K., & Makki, Y. (2024). Integrating Intercultural Philosophy into the High School Curriculum: Toward a Deliberative Pedagogy of Tadabbur in Diasporic Muslim Education. Religions, 15(2). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15020189

Abidin, Z. (2020). Educational Management of Pesantren in Digital Era 4.0. Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 17(2), 203–216. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.14421/jpai.2020.172-07

Abubakari, M. S., & Kalinaki, K. (2024). Digital competence in islamic education for lifelong learning: Preliminary analysis using DigComp 2.1 framework. Dalam Embracing Technological Advancements for Lifelong Learning (hlm. 1–31). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1410-4.ch001

Achmad, A., & Fitria, L. (2024). The Philosophical Trilogy for The Development of Islamic Educational Management. TATHO: International Journal of Islamic Thought and Sciences, 227–237. https://doi.org/10.70512/tatho.v1i4.49

Al-Fairusy, M., Taran, J. P., Masuwd, M. A., Idria, R., Hemay, I., & Amirudin, A. (2024). Retrospection of Culture in Religion in The Islands of Nias, Banyak and Simeuleu. Al-Albab, 13(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.24260/alalbab.v13i2.3194

Alkouatli, C., Memon, N., Chown, D., & Sai, Y. (2023). Something more beautiful: Educational and epistemic integrations beyond inequities in Muslim-minority contexts. Journal for Multicultural Education, 17(4), 406–418. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-05-2022-0062

Anshori, A. A., & Pohl, F. (2022). Environmental Education and Indonesia’s Traditional Islamic Boarding Schools: Curricular and Pedagogical Innovation in the Green Pesantren Initiative. Dalam Supporting Modern Teaching in Islamic Schools: Pedagogical Best Practice for Teachers (hlm. 31–44). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003193432-4

Arim, S. N., Ajmain, M. T., Abdul Razak, K., Mohamad Salleh, M. N., Yusof, A. S., & Mohd Noor, S. S. (2024). Navigating Educational Turbulence: A Systematic Literature Review on Challenges Faced by Islamic Education Amid the Pandemic. Dalam Studies in Systems, Decision and Control (Vol. 537, hlm. 663–680). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62106-2_50

Astuti. (2024). Value-based islamic education management: Developing leadership and commitment in contemporary islamic school environments. Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, 8(5), 454–464. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.55214/25768484.v8i5.1709

Athoillah, M., Rahman, A. S., Firdaus, A. S., & Septiadi, M. A. (2024). Policies and Practices Religoius Moderation in Pesantren. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(2), 387–396. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v10i2.27543

Ayubi, S. A., & Masruri, M. (2025). Ritual learning method for mystical ijazah at pondok pesantren salafiyah. Journal of Education and Learning, 19(1), 314–321. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.11591/edulearn.v19i1.21090

Azra, A. (2019). Pendidikan Islam: Tradisi dan Modernisasi di tengah Tantangan Milenium III. Prenada Media.

Balsiger, J. (2024). 124. Transformative learning. Dalam Elgar Encyclopedia of Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity (hlm. 567–570). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781035317967.ch124

Bashori, Y. A., Umami, K., & Wahid, S. H. (2024). Maqasid Shariah-Based Digital Economy Model: Integration, Sustainability and Transformation. Malaysian Journal of Syariah and Law, 12(2), 405–425. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol12no2.647

Basori, R., Raharjo, T. J., Prihatin, T., & Yulianto, A. (2023). Maintaining Salafi Values Through Innovative Management Practices at Pesantren. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(2), 145–156. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v9i2.25376

Braun, S. S., Zadzora, K. M., Miller, A. M., & Gest, S. D. (2019). Predicting elementary teachers’ efforts to manage social dynamics from classroom composition, teacher characteristics, and the early year peer ecology. Social Psychology of Education, 22(4), 795–817. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-019-09503-8

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Brown, J. S., Collins, A., & Duguid, P. (1989). Situated Cognition and the Culture of Learning. Educational Researcher, 18(1), 32–42. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X018001032

Budiharso, T., & Suharto, T. (2022). A New Paradigm of Pesantren Management in the Perspective of Social Change in the Globalization Era. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2022(100), 90–103. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2022.100.007

Carter, N., Bryant-Lukosius, D., DiCenso, A., Blythe, J., & Neville, A. J. (2014). The use of triangulation in qualitative research. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), 545–547. https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.545-547

Cernasev, A., & Axon, D. R. (2023). Research and scholarly methods: Thematic analysis. JACCP Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 6(7), 751–755. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/jac5.1817

Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/qualitative-inquiry-and-research-design/book266033

Damianakis, T., Barrett, B., Archer-Kuhn, B., Samson, P., Matin, S., & Ahern, C. (2025). Teaching for Transformation: Master of Social Work Students Identify Teaching Approaches That Made a Difference. Journal of Transformative Education, 23(2), 219–240. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344619865948

de Vries, K. (2020). Case study methodology. Dalam Critical Qualitative Health Research: Exploring Philosophies, Politics and Practices (hlm. 41–52). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429432774-2

Falikul Isbah, M. (2020). Pesantren in the changing indonesian context: History and current developments. Qudus International Journal of Islamic Studies, 8(1), 65–106. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.21043/QIJIS.V8I1.5629

Farmer, T. W., Hamm, J. V., Dawes, M., Barko-Alva, K., & Cross, J. R. (2019). Promoting Inclusive Communities in Diverse Classrooms: Teacher Attunement and Social Dynamics Management. Educational Psychologist, 54(4), 286–305. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2019.1635020

Farooq, M. (2023). Pedagogy for Transformative Learning – Case of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 30(4), 231–241. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.17957/IJAB/15.2080

Fauzi, A., Hefniy, H., Baharun, H., Mundiri, A., Manshur, U., & Musolli, M. (2018). E-Learning in Pesantren: Learning Transformation based on the Value of Pesantren. 1114(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1114/1/012062

Haddade, H., Nur, A., Achruh, A., Rasyid, M. N. A., & Ibrahim, A. (2024). Madrasah management strategies through Madrasah Reform program: An evidence from Indonesia. International Journal of Educational Management, 38(5), 1289–1304. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-05-2023-0236

Hadi, S., Affani, S., & Al-Akiti, M. A. (2024). The Challenge of Integrating Science and Religion in Indonesia and Malaysia. Teosofi: Jurnal Tasawuf dan Pemikiran Islam, 14(1), 96–122. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15642/teosofi.2024.14.1.96-122

Hamdani, N. A. (2023). Scrutinizing Islamic Higher Education Institutions in Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 9(1), 93–106. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v0i0.24478

Hanin Hamjah, S., Mohd Arifin, S. N. A., Ismail, Z., Mastor, K. A., Mohamad Rasit, R., & Ab. Rahman, Z. (2020). Islamic spiritual approach in developing a positive mindset. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 10(10), 644–665. Scopus.

Hargreaves, A. (with Internet Archive). (2003). Teaching in the Knowledge Society: Education in the Age of Insecurity. New York : Teachers College Press. http://archive.org/details/teachinginknowle0000harg

Hartati, S. (2018). Tazkiyatun nafs as an effort to reduce premarital sexual behavior of adolescents. Islamic Guidance and Counseling Journal, 1(1), 33–44. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.25217/igcj.v1i1.207

Hassan, M. (2024, Maret 26). Case Study—Methods, Examples and Guide. Research Method. https://researchmethod.net/case-study-research/

Hefner, C. (2022). Morality, religious authority, and the digital edge: Indonesian Muslim schoolgirls online. American Ethnologist, 49(3), 359–373. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/amet.13088

Hudaefi, F. A., & Heryani, N. (2019). The practice of local economic development and Maq??id al-Shar?‘ah: Evidence from a Pesantren in West Java, Indonesia. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 12(5), 625–642. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-08-2018-0279

Humaidi, A., Fadhliyah, N., & Sufirmansyah, S. (2024). The Centrality of Kyai in Establishing Moderate Understandings in Salafiyyah Pesantren. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i3.3

Ibda, H., Sofanudin, A., Syafi’, Moh., Soedjiwo, N. A. F., Azizah, A. S., & Arif, M. (2023). Digital Learning Using Maktabah Syumilah NU 1.0 Software and Computer Application for Islamic Moderation in Pesantren. International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ijece), 13(3), 3530. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v13i3.pp3530-3539

Isiaka, R. M., Babatunde, R. S., Eiriemiokhale, K. A., & Popoola, D. D. (2021). Towards adoption of information and communication technology in higher education—A structural equation model approach. International Journal of Learning Technology, 16(1), 37–64. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJLT.2021.115469

Jones, A. (2023). Transformative Learning in Clinical Education: Using Theory to Inform Practice. Dalam Clinical Education for the Health Professions: Theory and Practice (hlm. 463–479). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-3344-0_33

Jones, P. (2020). Critical transformative learning and social work education: Jack Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. Dalam The Routledge Handbook of Critical Pedagogies for Social Work (hlm. 489–500). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351002042-40

Junaidi, Afrinaldi, Artika, F. S., & Al-Momani, M. O. (2024). Religious Ideology Dissemination and Contestation in Indonesian Islamic Educational Institutions. Ulumuna, 28(2), 825–856. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v28i2.1055

Kawakip, A. N. (2020). Globalization and islamic educational challenges: Views from east javanese pesantren. Ulumuna, 24(1), 105–131. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v24i1.385

Kitchenham, A. (2008). The evolution of John Mezirow’s transformative learning theory. Journal of Transformative Education, 6(2), 104–123. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541344608322678

Kolb, D. A. (1976). Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model | EBSCO Research Starters. 374. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/education/kolbs-experiential-learning-model

Mahsusi, Hudaa, S., Fahmi, M., Kusen, Haryanti, N. D., & Wajdi, M. B. N. (2024). Achieving excellence: The role of digital transformation in madrasah management and Islamic culture. Cogent Arts and Humanities, 11(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2024.2304407

Maiese, M. L. (2023). Transformative Learning and the Affordance of Flexible Habits of Mind. Dalam Learning, Design, and Technology: An International Compendium of Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy (hlm. 1317–1338). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17461-7_153

Mariyono, D. (2024). Multicultural values: Meeting point of two forces in developing Islamic education. Quality Education for All, 1(1), 46–69. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/QEA-02-2024-0018

Marzuki, M., Miftahuddin, M., & Murdiono, M. (2020). Multicultural Education in Salaf Pesantren and Prevention of Religious Radicalism in Indonesia. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendidikan, 39(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v39i1.22900

Masturin, M. (2024). The Power of Two Learning Strategy in Islamic Religious Education Material Shaping Character Student. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i2.4678

Maulidati, Z., & Abbott, P. (2024). A Postphenomenological Study of the Digital Experience of Islamic Boarding School Graduates Transitioning to University Education. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 55. Scopus.

Maulyda, M. A., Sugiman, Wuryandani, W., Sulistyani, N., & Annizar, A. M. (2025). Investigating the role of digital capabilities on the relationship between teacher readiness and teacher skills using augmented reality media in elementary schools: A mediation and moderation analysis. Social Sciences and Humanities Open, 11. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101411

Memon, N. A., Abdalla, M., & Chown, D. (2024). Laying Foundations for Islamic Teacher Education. Education Sciences, 14(10). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14101046

Memon, N. A., Chown, D., & Alkouatli, C. (2021). Descriptions and enactments of Islamic pedagogy: Reflections of alumni from an Islamic Teacher Education Programme. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 29(4), 631–649. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2020.1775687

Meydan, C. H., & Akka?, H. (2024). The role of triangulation in qualitative research: Converging perspectives. Dalam Principles of Conducting Qualitative Research in Multicultural Settings (hlm. 98–129). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-3306-8.ch006

Mezirow, J. (1981). A Critical Theory of Adult Learning and Education. Adult Education Quarterly, 32(1), 3–24. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/074171368103200101

Mezirow, J. (1996). Contemporary paradigms of learning. Adult Education Quarterly, 46(3), 158–173. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/074171369604600303

Mezirow, J. (with Internet Archive). (1991). Transformative dimensions of adult learning. Jossey-Bass. http://archive.org/details/transformativedi0000mezi

Morse, J. M. (1991). Approaches to qualitative-quantitative methodological triangulation. Nursing Research, 40(2), 120–123. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-199103000-00014

Mulyanti, R. Y., Wati, L. N., Tusminurdin, U., & Soma, A. M. (2024). Determinants of teacher digital competence: Empirical evidence of vocational schools in Indonesia. International Journal of Data and Network Science, 8(3), 1517–1530. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ijdns.2024.3.014

Mutammam, Anggraeni, D., Afroni, A., Sutrisno, Zubaidah, A., & Irfanullah, G. (2024). Adaptation and Transformation of Pesantren Education in Facing The Era of Muslim Society 5.0. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 7(3), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v7i3.114

Muzayanah, U., Maknun, M. L., Sa’ad, F., Mustolehudin, & Taruna, M. M. (2025). Digital learning models: Experience of online learning during the pandemic. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 14(2), 1196–1206. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v14i2.30032

Parhan, M., Syahidin, S., Somad, M. A., Abdulah, M., & Nugraha, R. H. (2024). Developing a Contextual Learning Model in Islamic Education to Improve Applicable Knowledge and Foster Knowledge-Based Virtues. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 10(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.15575/jpi.v10i1.35205

Picken, G. (2005). Tazkiyat al-nafs: The Qur’anic Paradigm. Journal of Qur’anic Studies, 7(2), 101–127. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3366/jqs.2005.7.2.101

Pintaningdyah, D., Sya, H. M. A., & Karnati, N. (2024). Literature study: Transformational leadership style and assertiveness in improving the teaching skills teacher’s profession in the digital era. 3116(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0210764

Putri, D. R., & Fiqiyah, M. (2025). Development of Child’s Islamic Religious Aspects Through The Method of Training Education. TATHO: International Journal of Islamic Thought and Sciences, 70–86. https://doi.org/10.70512/tatho.v2i1.62

Refah Faraj, H. A. (2024). The Global Value System and Its Components for University Students. Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, 24(1), 257–275. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.12738/jestp.2024.1.020

Ritonga, M., Purnamasari, S., Budiarti, M., Lahmi, A., Nurdianto, T., & Zulfida, S. (2021). The management of arabic language and the yellow book curriculum planning at islamic boarding schools in respond to the freedom to learn education system. Journal of Management Information and Decision Sciences, 24(Special Issue 1), 1–10. Scopus.

Robert K. Yin. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications. SAGE Publications Inc. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/case-study-research-and-applications/book250150

Rohman, A., Meraj, G., Isna, A., Taruna, M. M., Rachmadhani, A., & Atmanto, N. E. (2024). Challenges in Islamic Education Curriculum Development: A Comparative Study of Indonesia, Pakistan, and India. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23(6), 504–523. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.23.6.23

Saiin, A., Armita, P., & Rizki, M. (2020). Pesantren: An Islamic Education Institution to Prevent Social Conflict. Millah: Journal of Religious Studies, 20(1), 89–110. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol20.iss1.art4

Saleh, M. N. I. (2025). Perceptions of pesantren leaders towards Islamic moderation approaches in combating radicalism and terrorism. Cogent Arts and Humanities, 12(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2025.2474826

Salim, N. A., Zaibi, M., Brantasari, M., Ikhsan, M., & Aslindah, A. (2024). Islamic Boarding School Leadership Innovation: From Traditional to Modernization of Education. Munaddhomah, 5(4), 447–460. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.31538/munaddhomah.v5i4.1392

Syahrizal. (2021). The Concept of Ideal PAI Teachers According to Al-Ghazâlî and Ifs Relevance to PAI Teachers in Contemporary Islamic Education. Miqot: Jurnal Ilmu-ilmu Keislaman, 45(2), 283–304. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.30821/miqot.v45i2.813

Taufikin, T. (2018). Hermeneutic Of Pesantren With The " Fusion Of Horizons " Gadamer’s Theory. Southeast Asian Journal of Islamic Education, 1(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.21093/sajie.v1i1.1335

Taufikin, T. (2021). Pesantren as the Three Centers of Education Perspective of Ki Hadjar Dewantara. Dinamika Ilmu, 21(1), 101–119. https://doi.org/10.21093/di.v21i1.3149

Taufikin, T. (2022). Pesantren: Pendidikan Khas Indonesia, Tangguh di Masa Pandemi Covid-19. Tarbawiyah : Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan, 5(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.32332/tarbawiyah.v5i2.4285

Thoha, M., & Hannan, A. (2022). Modernization of Education Governance Based on Accelerative Paradigm among Pesantren Communities in Madura, Indonesia. Ulumuna, 26(2), 417–446. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v26i2.515

Uyun, Q., Kurniawan, I. N., & Jaufalaily, N. (2019). Repentance and seeking forgiveness: The effects of spiritual therapy based on Islamic tenets to improve mental health. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 22(2), 185–194. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2018.1514593

Wargadinata, W., Wahidmurni, W., Abdussakir, A., Wahyuni, E. N., & Maimunah, I. (2019). Alternative Education in the Global Era: Study of Alternative Models of Islamic Education in Tazkia International Islamic Boarding School Malang. Library Philosophy and Practice, 2019, 1–12. Scopus.

Zakiyyah, I., Suparto, & Maswani. (2024). Learning Management of Islamic Religious Education Based on Digital Technology. 2024 12th International Conference on Cyber and IT Service Management, CITSM 2024. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1109/CITSM64103.2024.10775708

Zulfikar, A. S., Roesminingsih, M. V., & Soedjarwo. (2023). Policies Implementation by Pesantren Effective Schools to Achieve Excellence in Morality and General Sciences: A Case From Indonesia. Res Militaris, 13(1), 191–203. Scopus.

Full Text: PDF

DOI: 10.28944/maharot.v9i1.2033