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.
However, in the year 1917, KH Muhammad Kholil, alias Baing Sambong, passed away. Subsequently, the leadership of the Islamic boarding school was assumed by his son-in-law, KH Aa Fachrudin bin KH Zakaria, hailing from Songgom Village in the northern part of Warungkondang Subdistrict.
Expanding Knowledge and Community
During this period, the curriculum was expanded to encompass the study of classical texts, including grammar and rhetoric, Islamic jurisprudence, Quranic exegesis, Sufism, and more. In 1935, a study group, known as majlis taklim, was established as a platform for regular community-based religious education. This initiative provided a dedicated platform for religious education for the general public.
In 1965, KH Aa Fachrudin passed away, and the leadership of the pesantren was entrusted to his eldest son, known as KH Endang Muhyidin, affectionately called Aang Endang. During his tenure, the pesantren experienced significant growth. Drawing upon his own religious education experiences from Islamic boarding schools in Java and even during his pilgrimage to Mecca, Aang Endang expanded the scope of religious studies offered to the students.
Over time, the number of students continued to grow. To accommodate the increasing student body, three new dormitories were built, each named Pondok Pusaka, Pondok Sabar, and Pondok Kombinasi. In 1978, these dormitories were merged into a single building named ‘Daarul Falah’ dormitory.
Influential Scholars and Visitors
Under the guidance of Aang Endang, many religious scholars (known as ajengan in Sundanese culture) returned to study with him, including those who already operated their own Islamic boarding schools. They devoted their time to studying the same religious texts they had previously learned while in the pesantren.
Sheikh Ahmad Shohibul Wafa Tajul Arifin RA was one such student of Pondok Pesantren Daarul Falah during the leadership of KH AA Fachrudin. He later became a prominent leader of the Qadariyah Naqhshabandiyah Tariqah (TQN) and led the Suryalaya Tasikmalaya Islamic Boarding School. The patience and dedication of KH Aa Fachrudin resulted in one of his students becoming a significant and influential scholar, well-known among many.
Much like his predecessors and parents, Aang Endang also became an influential scholar of his time. His teachings attracted not only the children of students but also many other religious leaders who sought to deepen their understanding of the faith. His influence extended beyond the realm of Islamic boarding schools, as many visitors from various elite backgrounds, including government officials, business leaders, and military personnel, sought his spiritual guidance and blessings through his prayers.
One notable example is General H M Soeharto, the second President of Indonesia, who visited Pondok Pesantren Daarul Falah on several occasions. Despite his demanding role as the country’s leader at the time, Soeharto took the time to meet with Aang Endang and request his prayers. Numerous accounts affirm that President Soeharto regarded Aang Endang as his spiritual mentor, even inviting him to visit the Presidential Palace on several occasions.
*translated from here.