KH Istbat began establishing Pondok Banyuanyar in 1787. On a small, arid piece of land, he built a simple prayer room or *musala*. In this humble space, KH Istbat began teaching the Qur’an and mentoring local students. Known for his patience, persistence, and simplicity, KH Istbat left behind a legacy, urging his descendants to continue developing the pesantren so it could produce students capable of meeting the challenges of their time.
This wish was faithfully upheld by his descendants. His son, KH Abdul Hamid, continued his father’s work until 1933. By then, the small prayer room had evolved into a more established pesantren. Students not only from the local area but from further afield had begun to arrive.
Under the leadership of KH Abdul Majid, KH Istbat’s grandson, Pondok Banyuanyar saw rapid growth. More facilities were built, and students from regions beyond Madura began to join. Some of these students went on to become prominent religious leaders, such as KH As’ad Samsul Arifin (leader of Syafi’iyah Salafiyah Islamic Boarding School, Asembagus, Situbondo), KH Shaleh (leader of Suger Islamic Boarding School, Jember), and KH Zaini Mun’im (leader of Nurul Jadid Islamic Boarding School, Paiton, Probolinggo).
In 1943, however, KH Majid began building another pesantren, now known as Mambaul Ulum Bata-Bata, located about 2 km south of Banyuanyar. At that time, leadership of Pondok Banyuanyar was handed to his eldest son, KH Abdul Hamid Bakir.
However, KH Abdul Hamid Bakir could not always remain at Banyuanyar, as he was actively involved in fighting against Dutch colonial forces in the Jember and Banyuwangi regions. As a result, the responsibility for leading the pesantren was passed to KH Baidawi, KH Majid’s younger brother.
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