Located in the village of Jambudipa, Warungkondang Subdistrict, Cianjur Regency, Daarul Falah is renowned as one of the oldest Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren) in West Java, which has played a pivotal role in nurturing many scholars and prominent figures in the nation. Even to this day, it remains vibrant, continuously shaping competent generations.
Origins and Growth
The foundation of Pondok Pesantren Darul Falah dates back to the year 1840, marking nearly two centuries of its existence, precisely 183 years. Prior to its establishment, the village of Jambudipa had yet to experience the teachings of Islam, with neither a pesantren nor a mosque present.
It was during this period that KH Muhammad Kholil, a renowned scholar from Sambong region, Tasikmalaya Regency, known as Baing Sambong, arrived with the intention of spreading Islamic teachings in the region. KH Muhammad Kholil embarked on his mission by constructing a mosque. Eventually, this mosque became the centerpiece of the Daarul Falah Islamic Boarding School complex, which welcomed students from various regions of the archipelago. Undoubtedly, the presence of KH Muhammad Kholil brought about significant transformations to the Jambudipa community.
Following the mosque’s construction, KH Muhammad Kholil extended invitations to the local population to receive religious education. It became apparent that his presence was warmly embraced by the local community. In no time, students started to enroll, and their numbers grew steadily. Notably, students came from both nearby areas and distant locations, including those from outside the city.
As the number of students increased, dormitories were constructed to accommodate resident students. During this phase, an initial dormitory was established, named Pondok Santosa, with a capacity to house approximately 100 students. At that time, the name Pesantren Daarul Falah had not yet been adopted.