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.
In his introduction, Mbah Hasyim explains the motivation behind the book: many santri had reached a mature age, ready to embark on married life, yet lacked a proper understanding of its pillars, conditions, and etiquette. This gap prompted him to create a practical guide, Dhau al Mishbah as preparation before marriage.