Pesantren represents traditional Islamic education, often referred to by Nusantara Islamic scholars as “the great traditional Islamic education”. This is evident when Pesantren offers a curriculum that is collaborative, based on Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), and Tasawuf (Islamic mysticism).
The Qur’an and Hadith are the primary sources of Pesantren education, supported by consensus (Ijma) and analogical reasoning (Qiyas). The approach is also characterized by spiritual practices, such as self-discipline, recitation of God’s names (Zikir), night prayers, fasting, and so forth.
KH Husain Ilyas explains that “Traditional Islamic education continues to exist, but its movement adapts to the development and contextualization of the times.” This suggests that tradition, as a principle, is not closed off to the acceptance of social progress and knowledge.
Pesantren is generally understood as an educational space for Islam with a traditional character. Some even describe it as old-fashioned and rigid. This perception is reflected in the way some people often associate Pesantren with lower social strata.