The Fauzan Pesantren stands as one of the largest Islamic educational institutions in the Garut Regency, West Java. Situated within the Fauzan Village Complex in Sukaresmi Subdistrict, Garut, this institution was established around the year 1850 AD, perhaps even further back considering the traces of its ancestral struggles. It’s no surprise that the Fauzan Pesantren is counted among the ancient Islamic schools in the Indonesian archipelago, earning recognition during the recent 100th Anniversary Celebration of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
Sheikh Muhammad Adzro’i (d.1918 AD), the successor of the Fauzan Pesantren and a renowned scholar of the mid-19th century, marked the third generation. Some of his notable students include KH Ahmad Syathibi Al-Qonturi, known as Mama Gentur, Sheikh Umar Bashri (son of Sheikh Muhammad Adzro’i), and KH Muhammad Rusdi Haurkoneng Garut.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Umar Bashri, the Fauzan Pesantren saw a significant increase in students, nurturing around 500, the majority of whom emerged as esteemed scholars and founders of various Islamic schools scattered across the Pasundan region. Among them were KH Muhammad Yusuf Galumpit, KH Syarifuddin Tasikmalaya, KH Syathibi Sumedang, KH Mukhtar Cianjur, KH Eumed Ahmad Cimasuk, KH Badruddin Kudang, KH Muhammad Burhan Cijawura Bandung, and KH Masykur, Minister of Religious Affairs from 1947 to 1949. Other alumni also became esteemed religious leaders in their respective regions.
During the colonial era, the Fauzan Pesantren actively participated in Indonesia’s struggle for independence by forming the Daf’ussial forces. Around 40,000 members were mobilized to combat the Dutch and Japanese forces under the leadership of KH Muhammad Ishaq or Aceng Sasa, who was the son of Sheikh Umar Bashri. Not only engaging in physical warfare, but the Fauzan Pesantren also employed spiritual practices such as dhikr (remembrance of God) and prayers to safeguard the school from Dutch and Japanese forces, ultimately preventing any disruption to its activities. In fact, two Japanese soldiers embraced Islam and became students at the Fauzan Pesantren.
Under the leadership of KH. Muhammad, the third son of Sheikh Umar Bashri, around 1964, the Fauzan Pesantren merged with NU. It was from this point that the Fauzan Pesantren became closely associated with Gus Dur (Abdurrahman Wahid) and remained steadfast supporters of him till today. The school also established close ties with influential scholars within NU, playing significant roles within the organization.
Adapting to the changing times, the Fauzan Pesantren began establishing Formal Educational Institutions through the founding of the al-Fauzaniyyah Foundation, chaired by KH Abdul Mujib, an influential scholar within NU in Garut. To supplement the students’ academic knowledge, formal education ranging from junior to senior high school (SMP to MA and SMK Fauzaniyyah) was developed within the Fauzan Pesantren.
Despite its Salaf-Moderate system, the Fauzan Pesantren maintains a strong affiliation with NU. The education provided in the school, consistently imbued with NU doctrines, is similarly applied within the formal institutions of the al-Fauzaniyyah Foundation. While the concept of ‘NU-ness’ is instilled at the boarding school through studies of classical texts, NU history, and practicing NU traditions in daily life, the students in the Islamic schools also receive teachings on ASWAJA (Ahlussunnah Wal Jama’ah) and NU principles.
ASWAJA and NU principles are taught within the al-Fauzaniyyah Foundation from grades VII to XII. This curriculum encompasses ASWAJA and NU studies, alongside teachings of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and theology from classical texts directly taught by the kiai (Islamic scholars) at the Fauzan Pesantren.
The integration of NU principles within the school curriculum extends beyond academics. Every Friday, the al-Fauzaniyyah Foundation holds Istighasah and Mauidzah Hasanah sessions directly related to NU principles. Istighasah sessions are typically led by the Foundation’s chairman, KH Abdul Mujib, or the senior scholars at the Fauzan Pesantren.
What’s more unique is the requirement in the MA Fauzaniyyah program, where before graduation, students must partake in the Ubudiyyah program. This final preparation delves into Ubudiyyah in line with the teachings of Ahlussunnah wa al-Jama’ah (NU) to strengthen and test the students’ abilities before they integrate into society as Fauzan alumni. Students who do not participate in this program will have their diplomas withheld and must undergo the Ubudiyyah program the following year.
Presently, the Fauzan Pesantren is under the leadership of KH Umar A’lam, also known as Aceng Aam, the eldest son of KH Muhammad. Fauzan now boasts several branches scattered across the Garut region. These branch institutions stemming from the Fauzan Pesantren include Safinatul Faizin (Fauzan II) in Cibalong, Salaman (Fauzan III) in Sukaresmi, Al-Faizin (Fauzan IV) in Sukaresmi, Bidayatul Faizin (Fauzan V) in Cikajang, Mambaul Faizin (Fauzan VI) in Cisurupan, Mukhtarul Faizin (Fauzan VII) in Sukaresmi, and Farohan (Fauzan VIII) in Sukaresmi, all situated within the Garut Regency.