KHR. As’ad Syamsul Arifin (1897 – 4 August 1990) was an Indonesian

ulama In Islam, the ''ulama'' ( ; also spelled ''ulema''; ; singular ; feminine singular , plural ) are scholars of Islamic doctrine and law. They are considered the guardians, transmitters, and interpreters of religious knowledge in Islam. "Ulama ...

and co-founder of

Nahdatul Ulama Nahdlatul Ulama (, , NU) is an Islamic organization in Indonesia. Its membership numbered over 40 million in 2023, making it the largest Islamic organization in the world. NU is also a charitable body funding schools and hospitals as well as or ...

. In 2016, he was declared a

National Hero of Indonesia National Hero of Indonesia () is the highest-level Orders, decorations, and medals of Indonesia, title awarded in Indonesia. It is posthumously given by the Government of Indonesia for actions which are deemed to be heroic, defined as "actual de ...

Biography

Early life

As'ad was born as Raden As'ad Syamsul Arifin in Syi'ib Ali, near Haram Mosque,

Mecca Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia; it is the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley above ...

, the oldest son of Raden Ibrahim and his wife Siti Maimunah. Kiai As'ad was of

Wali Sanga ''Wali Songo'' (), also transcribed as ''Wali Sanga'', are revered saints of Islam in Indonesia, especially on the island of Java, because of their historic role in the spread of Islam in Indonesia. The word ''wali'' is Arabic for "trusted one ...

’s descent from his father who was of a genealogical line from Sunan Kudus, and his mother who was of Sunan Ampel’s line. At six old, his parent took him returned to Pondok Pesantren Kembang Kuning,

Pamekasan Pamekasan ( Madurese: ''Mekkasân'') is a town and district which serves as the administrative center of Pamekasan Regency, East Java Province, Indonesia. It is located on the island of Madura, in an inland location towards the south coast of the ...

Madura is an list of islands of Indonesia, Indonesian island off the northeastern coast of Java. The island comprises an area of approximately (administratively including various smaller islands to the east, southeast and north that are administratively ...

. His brother, Abdurrahman, who was four years old, stayed with his mother’s cousin in Mecca. Five years later, As’ad and his father move to Asembagus, Situbondo in order to spread Islam in Java.

Education

Young As’ad studied and stayed in Pondok Pesantren Banyuanyar for three year (1910–1913). He continued his study at Madrasah as-Sawlatiyah.

Founding Pesantren

At 1908, As’ad and his father, assisted by a number of santri cleared a land and built some buildings. It was located at Sumberejo, which was suggested by Habib Hasan Musawa dan Kiai Asadullah. At 1951, As’ad was succeeded his father to lead the Pondok

Pesantren ''Pesantren'' is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia. It is taught either in private houses, a ''wiktionary:pondok, pondok'' or a mosque, the teaching includes classical Islamic texts and ''santri'' thought, taught by Kyai, ''kya ...

Salafiyah Syafi'iyah. He expanded an educational system of the

pesantren ''Pesantren'' is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia. It is taught either in private houses, a ''wiktionary:pondok, pondok'' or a mosque, the teaching includes classical Islamic texts and ''santri'' thought, taught by Kyai, ''kya ...

by adopting formal educational system both madrasah (which is regulated by Ministry of Religious Affair) and school (under Ministry of National Education).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:As'ad Syamsul Arifin National Heroes of Indonesia 1897 births 1990 deaths Madrasah as-Sawlatiyah alumni