Is it true that the “yellow book” symbolizes the glory of Islam? In certain perspectives, this statement holds true, especially when considering the golden age of Islam during the Middle Ages. For instance, Ibn Sina, renowned as an astronomer, philosopher, and medical expert, authored the monumental medical text, Al-Qanun (M Abrar- https://sahabatmuslim.id).
In the Islamic tradition of Nusantara, the yellow book serves as a medium for deepening knowledge, taught across all pesantrens in Indonesia. Consequently, the yellow book can be seen as a bridge connecting the scholarship of ulama from the 3rd century Hijri to the present day. Despite the passage of time, this tradition remains well-preserved. For example, the term “Halal Bihalal” is not found among Middle Eastern ulama but is derived from studies of earlier scholars’ works.
Discussing the yellow book reminds the writer of a famous pesantren slogan, “Al-Muhafadza Ala Al-Qadim Al-Shaleh Wal-Akhdzu Bil Jadidil Aslah,” which means preserving good old traditions while adopting better new ones. This phrase includes the concept of al-Qadim al-Shaleh, or preserving good old practices, into which the yellow book fits perfectly.
As times evolve, it must be acknowledged that the digital age has significantly changed students’ mindsets. With the proliferation of social media and platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Telegram, the question arises: will the current generation still be interested in and capable of studying the yellow book?
Some argue that studying the yellow book is outdated. Is this assertion justifiable? Certainly not. The writer remains steadfast, guided by scholars like Imam Nawawi and Imam al-Zarnuji, who, in the book Ta’lim, caution: “Stick to the old sciences and be wary of new sciences that may be harmful.”
This warning by al-Zarnuji should not be misunderstood. It serves as a caution, especially regarding new knowledge that contradicts Sharia and requires careful validation.
In Ta’lim, it is also stated that “A person who works diligently will succeed and achieve their dreams” and “Whoever knocks on the door, it will be opened.” Thus, even those addicted to gadgets can be redirected to study the yellow book, reconnecting with the scholarship of past ulama by exploring texts like Al-Muqaddimah, Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, Bidayah Al-Hidayah, and others.
The yellow book is the cornerstone of the scholarship of early ulama. Numerous works in fields like Hadith, Sufism, ethics, environment, and exegesis are compiled in yellow books. Studying these texts requires considerable time—tuuli zamani—a long-term commitment, often spanning years, due to the necessity of mastering foundational sciences such as grammar, morphology, rhetoric, and others.
Moreover, acquiring knowledge from ulama traditionally involves face-to-face learning in pesantren through methods like sorogan and bandongan, using yellow books like Sullam al-Taufiq, Ummul Barahin, Shahih Al-Bukhari, among others. This approach ensures the transmission of knowledge across generations.
Reviewing the period from the 3rd to the 15th century Hijri, obtaining knowledge was arduous. Scholars traveled long distances on foot to seek knowledge, a stark contrast to today’s digital age where information is readily accessible via the Internet. Previously, acquiring yellow books was expensive, costing millions of rupiah for texts like Tafsir Manar and Tafsir Maraghi. Now, these can be downloaded online for a fraction of the cost.
This digital convenience brings both benefits and drawbacks. Learning from e-books or PDFs can strain the eyes but is cost-effective, while traditional books are easier to absorb but are more expensive. For example, Syarah Bukhari costs around Rp 4.5 million.
The digital era poses unique challenges, as the abundance of accessible yellow books necessitates careful filtering to ensure reliable content. This is our responsibility to minimize the erosion of pesantren values by reaffirming the traditional requirement for students to master the yellow book. Our duty as educated individuals is to preserve the yellow book, maintaining the spirit of pesantren. The yellow book encompasses not only religious laws but also fundamental knowledge in various fields such as basic laws, agriculture, medicine, philosophy, algebra, physics, and architecture, all products of the Islamic golden age.