UNU Jogja Revives Pesantren Tradition through Kitab Kuning Classes for New Students

Yogyakarta, Indonesia - Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta (UNU Jogja) is introducing kitab kuning studies to new students of the 2026/2027 Academic Year as part of an effort to familiarize them with the scholarly traditions of pesantren and NU values. The kitab kuning classes are part of compulsory courses that students take during their first and second semesters.

The classes use the ngaji bandongan method, a traditional pesantren learning method in which students listen to explanations of classical Islamic texts delivered by a kiai or ustaz. Through this method, students not only study the content of the texts but also become familiar with pesantren learning traditions and values.

This academic year, students are studying two classical Islamic texts: Washoya al-Abaa lil-Abnaa by Muhammad Syakir Al-Iskandari and Safinatun Najah Yajibu ‘ala Abdi li Mulah by Sheikh Salim bin Sumair al-Hadhrami.

The Washoya al-Abaa lil-Abnaa study is held every Wednesday and is attended by students from the International Islamic Studies (SII), Management, and Accounting Study Programs. The book contains advice, guidance, and lessons in morality, particularly concerning relationships between parents and children as well as teachers and students. The class is led by KH. Edy Musoffa, S.Ag., M.H.I., Head of the UNU Jogja Student Islamic Boarding School.

Meanwhile, students from the Informatics, Electrical Engineering, Elementary School Teacher Education (PGSD), English Education (PBI), Agricultural Product Technology (THP), and Pharmacy Study Programs attend the Safinatun Najah Yajibu ‘ala Abdi li Mulah study every Thursday. Written by Sheikh Salim bin Sumair al-Hadhrami, the book discusses the fundamentals of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and basic principles of Islamic creed (aqidah) according to the Shafi’i school of thought. The class is led by Dr. M. Taufiq Ridho, M.Pd., Head of PPTQ Al-Hamra Islamic Boarding School in Krapyak, Yogyakarta.

Director of Keaswajaan at UNU Jogja, Ahmad Hujaj Nurohim, explained that the two books are foundational texts that are important to understand within the pesantren learning tradition.

“Through this course, we hope that students who have previously studied at a pesantren can maintain the values they have learned there within the academic environment. Meanwhile, students who have never studied at a pesantren can become familiar with and learn about its distinctive traditions, which emphasize good manners and respect,” he said.

In addition to kitab kuning studies, which introduce new students to pesantren scholarly traditions and NU values, UNU Jogja also provides Qur’an reading guidance as part of its religious development program. The program is designed to help students improve their ability to read the Qur’an correctly according to established recitation rules.

“The Qur’an reading program will begin next week for new students. The scheme is that those who already read the Qur’an fluently will be encouraged to join the tahfiz program with Jam’iyyatul Qurra’ wal Huffazh (JQH) UNU Jogja as an optional program. Meanwhile, those who are not yet fluent will receive guidance for one semester to help them read the Qur’an fluently, and this program is compulsory,” he explained.*

Reporter: Latifah