KH Hasyim Asy’ari stands among Indonesia’s most revered Islamic scholars, firmly rooted in the Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah tradition. Known affectionately as Mbah Hasyim, he is also recognized as a national hero whose legacy has found its way into formal education curricula. As the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), he was honored with the title Hadratussyeikh, a testament to his mastery of the Kutub al-Sittah. He was also called Syaikhul Masyayikh, the teacher of teachers reflecting his towering influence. The very existence of NU is inseparable from his name.
As a prolific scholar, Mbah Hasyim left behind numerous works that continue to be studied by generations of santri across Indonesia. One of them is Dhau al Mishbah fi Bayani Ahkami An-Nikahi.
Unlike many of his other writings that fall squarely within the genre of fiqh, this particular work takes a different path. It is a concise guide on marriage. Written by a scholar who grew up in the pesantren tradition, the book spans just 21 pages and can still be found in Maktabah Tsuraya in Jombang, the very pesantren he once led.