Part one: Sanad and Lineage
“"Many boarding school residents cannot afford to send their children to boarding schools, but many people do not send all or most of their children to boarding schools."”
Why is that so…?
A few years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my eldest child was about to graduate from KMI Gontor. Because parents were not permitted to attend the event, the committee asked me to deliver a speech on their behalf at the Khataman (graduation ceremony) on the eve of the graduation ceremony.
The first point in my speech is the greeting ‘'Gratitude to god'’. Due to the immense blessings of Allah, our family and I are able to continue our Sanad and Lineage to Gontor. This is because many Gontor alumni have Sanad And Lineagehis Munqathi'’ (disconnected).
To prospective alumni whose parents are not Gontor alumni, I would like to convey: “You are Opening of New Sanad Route, don't let this new path only become your own path because your sons and daughters after you choose a new sanad path outside your current path, if so, then your parents are much better than you, because your parents who did not board, were able and succeeded in boarding, while you who boarded failed to board.
The Spirit of Connecting Sanad That Is the Spirit of the Prophets
When Prophet Ya'qub was about to die, he was interested in ensuring the continuity and continuity of his Sanad: “Mā ta'budūna min Ba'dī … ?”. When the sanad has been confirmed to be connected: “Na'budu ilāhaka wa ilāha ā-bāika ibrāhima wa ismāīla wa ishāqa ilāhan wāhidan wa nahnu lahu muslimūn (QS. Al-Baqarah Verse 133). Prophet Ya'qub's heart became calm.
Prophet Zakariya also felt worried when his age was approaching, but there were no signs of the connection of the sanad (prophecy) “Wainnī khiftul mawalia min wará-ī … ” Therefore ask Allah in a low voice “Nādā Rabbahū nidā-an khafiyya”.
The disconnection should bring concern. If the disconnection does not bring concern, be careful, it could be a form of Talbis Khafiyy (a subtle trick).
Part two: The Boarding House That Doesn't Board
The important question: “"Why do so many people live in boarding schools but don't send their sons and daughters to boarding schools...?"”
It's a simple question, but I know the answer isn't simple. Many factors contribute, sometimes overlapping, to the question. The answer isn't as simple as it sounds.
Among the factors behind why an alumni does not send their children to boarding schools are: cost factors. This is the most common factor. This means that a child's financial situation is not as good as his father's, especially when combined with the circumstances. place and distance which is quite far and requires a lot of money, this will be the main factor why an alumni cannot send their children to board at their alma mater.
However, there are solutions to both of these situations. If the alma mater is considered too far away and requires a lot of money, the desire to live in a boarding school can be diverted to a nearby boarding school. a clump (alumni boarding houses) located near or near their homes. Although not identical to the original, many alumni boarding houses have been well developed so their conditions are not too far from the original.
If the problem is cost, then a father (alumni) can send his sons and daughters to a particular Islamic boarding school (that he trusts) to become foster children of the boarding school, who can later become cadres of the boarding school or seek scholarships from various institutions, including the government.
In essence, cost and accommodation are not the primary reasons alumni don't send their children to boarding schools. The primary reason is a lack of strong determination to send their children to boarding schools. With a strong, persistent determination, many roads lead to Rome. The key is whether you want to or not.
Another factor that is also very common is because 'the child doesn't want to go to the boarding school'.
There are many factors that cause children to refuse to go to boarding school. However, the main factor, in our opinion, is: A situation where 'parents have been caught out.' It's easy for parents to be unable to monitor their children's aspirations and... Azam His (determination) to house the child strictly.
There are many leaks and gaps. Through these sometimes very subtle cracks, the dust or wind of reluctance to board a child disappears. It may also be because they consider boarding a child a trivial matter, something that can be prepared on the fly (part-time), but in fact, it's not that simple and requires extensive preparation.
To prepare his son as a Servant Baitul Maqdis, Imron's wife arrived ‘'vow'’ since the son/daughter is still in the womb: “inni naźartu laka mā fī bațnī muharraran”. vows is a sign (symbol) of strong determination to carry out certain actions, as well as a way to care for them.
So, the determination and ambition to send one's sons and daughters to a boarding school shouldn't just flow or arrive suddenly, but rather be prepared, even "dinazari" (instruction) from the time the child is still in the womb. After birth, the child is always prayed for, motivated, and encouraged.
So, don't say 'the child doesn't want to go to boarding school' if the parents haven't prepared them well in advance, even before they were born. That's simply a reflection of half-heartedness, which is the easiest to use as a scapegoat, like a lazy person with the excuse of wanting to live in Zuhud and Wara.'’
Another common factor among alumni who do not send their children to boarding schools is a change in their perspective on their alma mater. After becoming alumni and having the opportunity to travel, (Benchmarking) to various corners both in terms of place and thought, they seem to find insight new.
There's a new educational model that's considered better (ideal) than one's alma mater, or there's an assessment that the quality of one's alma mater isn't up to par with the one they studied at. They usually joke: “"Our boarding school is different now, it's not like it used to be.". sometimes added with the words: “"The quality has declined now. It's not what it used to be."”.
Insight new and Ideal Models found by alumni usually There are 2 (two) forms:
First: A radical shift from the idealism of the Pondok as a whole school of thought or School of Thought, for example from from Sunni to new Mu'tazilah or Shia, or new Khawarij, or new liberal. This shift will of course change their perspective and assessment of their alma mater.
It's certain that their sons and daughters won't be boarding at their former boarding school. In fact, these alumni are likely to launch attacks on their alma mater, either repeatedly or covertly.
Form second is the result of in-depth reflection, research, and comparative studies on the models and quality of educational institutions that continue to develop and become increasingly diverse. The results: Found a model that is considered beyond his alma mater. That's why his sons and daughters were not sent to boarding school at his alma mater.
This kind of choice, if based on a sincere decision, coupled with the results of reflection, research and competent comparative studies, is considered 'reasonable' and understandable.
Although it needs to be seriously investigated results or the product of choice, then compare it with the current alma mater product, so that the choice is not just 'just following the crowd' trend'’ or dazzled/fooled by the gyang which often sounds 'loud' in an era where reality and the actual facts are often hidden. Continued..
And Allah knows best
Written by Associate Professor Dr. M. Kholid Muslih, MA. Senior Lecturer and Director of Postgraduate Programs at Darussalam University (UNIDA) Gontor
