The Fauzan Pesantren stands as one of the largest Islamic educational institutions in the Garut Regency, West Java. Situated within the Fauzan Village Complex in Sukaresmi Subdistrict, Garut, this institution was established around the year 1850 AD, perhaps even further back considering the traces of its ancestral struggles. It’s no surprise that the Fauzan Pesantren is counted among the ancient Islamic schools in the Indonesian archipelago, earning recognition during the recent 100th Anniversary Celebration of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
Sheikh Muhammad Adzro’i (d.1918 AD), the successor of the Fauzan Pesantren and a renowned scholar of the mid-19th century, marked the third generation. Some of his notable students include KH Ahmad Syathibi Al-Qonturi, known as Mama Gentur, Sheikh Umar Bashri (son of Sheikh Muhammad Adzro’i), and KH Muhammad Rusdi Haurkoneng Garut.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Umar Bashri, the Fauzan Pesantren saw a significant increase in students, nurturing around 500, the majority of whom emerged as esteemed scholars and founders of various Islamic schools scattered across the Pasundan region. Among them were KH Muhammad Yusuf Galumpit, KH Syarifuddin Tasikmalaya, KH Syathibi Sumedang, KH Mukhtar Cianjur, KH Eumed Ahmad Cimasuk, KH Badruddin Kudang, KH Muhammad Burhan Cijawura Bandung, and KH Masykur, Minister of Religious Affairs from 1947 to 1949. Other alumni also became esteemed religious leaders in their respective regions.
During the colonial era, the Fauzan Pesantren actively participated in Indonesia’s struggle for independence by forming the Daf’ussial forces. Around 40,000 members were mobilized to combat the Dutch and Japanese forces under the leadership of KH Muhammad Ishaq or Aceng Sasa, who was the son of Sheikh Umar Bashri. Not only engaging in physical warfare, but the Fauzan Pesantren also employed spiritual practices such as dhikr (remembrance of God) and prayers to safeguard the school from Dutch and Japanese forces, ultimately preventing any disruption to its activities. In fact, two Japanese soldiers embraced Islam and became students at the Fauzan Pesantren.