Known as Pondok Gading, Miftahul Huda Islamic Boarding School (Pesantren Miftahul Huda) in Malang, East Java, is considered as one of the oldest Islamic boarding schools (Pesantren) in Indonesia. This Pesantren has existed since 1768; one of the most famous heritage from legendary Pesantren is the Hisab method. It’s the method used to determine the beginning of the Islamic calendar based on astronomical calculation (the circulation of the month/qomariah)
The founder of Pondok Gading is KH Hasan Munadi. People used to call it Pondok Gading because it is located in an urban village called Gading Kasri, in Malang city. It’s already 90 years after he passed away; KH Hasan Munadi, as the founder, passed away when he was 125 years old. KH Hasan Munadi Hasan Munadi died, leaving four children, namely KH Ismail, KH Muhyini, KH Maksum, and Nyai Mujannah.
At that time, Pondok Gading, as the conservative pesantren, established the salaf education system. After KH Hasan Munadi died, Pondok Gading was handled by his first son, KH Ismail. To develop the Pesantren, he was assisted by his niece, KH Abdul Majid. Since he has no child, Kiai Ismail adopts the daughter of Kiai Abdul Majid, Nyai Siti Khadijah. Then, Siti Khodijah was married to one of the Miftahul Huda Islamic Boarding School alumni, Kediri, KH Yahya from Jetis, Malang. After that, the management of Pondok Gading was handed over to KH Moh Yahya.
KH Moh Yahya, who has led the pesantren since 1908, named this pesantren as “Pondok Pesantren Miftahul Huda”, he took th name from his previous pesantren. Not only gave the new name, but Kiai Yahya also made a revolutionary breakthrough in that era. The students (santri) were also permitted to study and learn from other formal institutions out of the Pesantren. Surprisingly, through this breakthrough, the pesantren grew fast. This is because so many santri want to study there.
Kiai Yahya was died on November 23, 1971. After that, the pesantren led by his sons, KH Abdurrohim Amrullah Yahya, KH Abdurrahman Yahya, and KH Ahmad Arief Yahya. They are also still being assisted by the sons-in-law, such as KH Muhammad Baidlowi Muslich and Ustadz HM Shohibul Kahfi.
The Book of Hisab
Since its inception, Pondok Gading established three levels of diniyah salafiah education. It is called Madrasah Diniyah Salafiyah Matholiul Huda (MMH). The first level is called Ula Level (Basic Education). In the basic level curriculum, the santri studies basic Islamic books. For example, for fiqh, there are the books of Safinatun Najah and Sullamutaufiq. For the science of tools, there are the books of Tuhfatul Athfal and al-Amtsilatu at-Tashrifiyyah. And, for monotheism, there are Aqidatul Awam and Bad’ul Amali.
Then, there was Wustho level as the second level of education. It focuses on the deepening of knowledge and books of commentaries and hadith, Tafsir al-Jalalain, Bulughul Maram, etc. Finally, the third level is Ulya, the top level of education. At this level, santri began to study hisab, and they used the book of Sullam al-Nayyirain.
Sullam al-Nayyirain is one of several books written by KH. Muhammad Mansur el-Batawi. This book is famous among experts who study hisab and astronomy. This classic book is still widely used by the hisab scholars in determining the beginning of the Islamic Calendar (qomariyah). The method is based on Geocentric theory, which states that Earth is the centre of the solar system. There are three chapters in this book:
- How to use hisab system in calculating when the ijtima happened (conjunction) between the Moon and the Sun.
- The treatises about the calculation of lunar eclipse.
- The treatises about the calculation of solar eclipses.
Since the Kiai Yahya period, Pondok Gading has taught and practised the book of Sullam al-Nayyirain. Therefore, Pondok Gading has has Lajnah Falakiyah Pondok Pesantren Miftahul Huda (PPMH). Lajnah Falakiyah is the institution that specifically has a management to determine the beginning of the Islamic Calendar (Qomariyah).
That is one of the greatest heritage from the legendary Kiai in Pondok Gading. That inheritance still exists until now. This is because there are so many pesantren who also adopt the hisab method in Pondok Gading.
Interestingly, although many pesantren adopted the hisab technique, Pondok Gading’s calculation results were always more precise, even though the methods were the same and sourced from the same book. It was also acknowledged by KH Muhammad Baidlowi Muslich, one of the masters of Pondok Gading. “That’s because we are thorough and pay attention to the techniques for generations,” KH Muhammad Baidlowi said.
Because of this reason, the results of Pondok Gading hisab always become the main reference in the process of making the Islamic calendar to determine the Idul Fitri.
Translated by Dian Ratna Ayu Paramita.