The Role of Kiai Leadership in Nahdlatul Ulama Islamic Boarding Schools: A Utilitarian Ethical Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58485/jie.v4i1.303Keywords:
Kiai Leadership, Nahdlatul Ulama Pesantren, Utilitarianism, Leadership ModelAbstract
The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in Lampung plays a vital role in religious education and character building within the community. The leadership of the kiai in the pesantren is not limited to the spiritual aspect, but also affects the social welfare of the surrounding community. Therefore, it is important to explore the application of utilitarianism principles in the kiai's leadership to improve the well-being of the community. This study aims to analyze the role of kiai leadership in NU pesantren in Lampung and how the principles of utilitarianism are applied in their leadership. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with kiais, pesantren administrators, and santri, as well as observations of the kiai's leadership practices in the pesantren. The results show that the application of utilitarianism principles in kiai leadership has proven to provide greater social benefits, both in education, economic empowerment, and social policies that prioritize the common welfare. This study concludes that kiai leadership based on utilitarianism principles can create a positive impact on the pesantren community and its surroundings. Furthermore, these findings contribute to the development of a leadership model based on social values and the well-being of the community, which can be applied in other pesantren across Indonesia.
References
Aini Tsalsa Maulidhinah, Jannah, A., Elvira Putri Rizkyka, Karisma Wati, Nugroho, A. P., & Huda, B. (2023). Analisis Penyaluran Dana Zakat Untuk Produktivitas Mustahik: Studi Pada Lembaga Amil Zakat Infaq Shadaqah Nurul Falah Surabaya. EKOMA : Jurnal Ekonomi, Manajemen, Akuntansi, 3(1), 395–414. https://doi.org/10.56799/ekoma.v3i1.2526
Aisyah, S., Munaya Ulil Ilmi, Rosyid, M. A., Wulandari, E., & Akhmad, F. (2021). KiaiLeadership Concept in The Scope of PesantrenOrganizational Culture. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(2), 356–368. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/JOB-09-2020-0279
Ajustina, F., & Nisa, L. F. (2024). Implementasi Prinsip Ekonomi Syariah Terhadap Pengembangan Ekonomi Umat Untuk Meningkatkan Pertumbuhan Ekonomi. Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi Dan Manajemen, 2(6), 626–637. https://doi.org/10.61722/jiem.v2i6.1575
Alderwick, H., & others. (2021). Health Programs in Organizations: Impact on Employee Well-Being. Journal of Public Health, 36(5), 456–470. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1093/jpubhealth/fdy101
Aman, A., Aziz, A. A. A., & Syarifah, A. (2023). Figur Kiai di Madura Perspektif Teori Pemikiran Kekuasaan (Politik) Al-Ghazali. NUANSA: Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu Sosial Dan Keagamaan Islam, 20(2), 151.
Aryanti, Y., Mutathahirin, M., Rahman, I., & Mulyani, R. (2022). Teacher Analysis Study According to Imam Al Ghazali in the Book of Al Adab Fi Al-Din. Ahlussunnah: Journal of Islamic Education, 1(2), 46-58. https://doi.org/10.58485/jie.v1i2.177
Ardiansyah, D. (2023). Peran Pendidikan Pesantren dalam Membentuk Generasi Muda yang Berkarakter Integritas. INTEGRATIA: Journal of Education, Human Development, and Community Engagement, 1(2 SE-Articles), 143–156. https://ojisnu.isnuponorogo.org/index.php/integratia/article/view/46
Aslan, I., & Wijaya, T. (2020). Kepemimpinan Kiai dalam Konteks Pendidikan Islam di Pesantren. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 14(2), 175–187.
Azizah, H. N., Muchtar, N. E. P., & Putra, F. T. (2023). Pesantren As a Pillar of Islamic Civilization Development in Indonesia. Academicus: Journal of Teaching and Learning, 2(1), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.59373/academicus.v2i1.19
Dian, D., Hidayatulloh, R., Riyanti, T., & Aripin, J. (2024). The Role of Kiai Leadership in Developing Students’ Character at Islamic Boarding School. AL-ISHLAH: Jurnal Pendidikan, 16(1), 234–246. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i1.4378
Efendi, E., Ramadhani, R., Kamil, R. A., & Rahman, I. (2022). The Effect Of Building The Islamic Character Of Students At Wisma Padang State University. Jurnal Kepemimpinan dan Pengurusan Sekolah, 7(3), 271-280. https://doi.org/10.34125/jkps.v7i3
Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Sarianto, D., Ayad, N., Rahman, A., Febriani, A., ... & Rahman, I. (2024). Analysis of Quran Education Problems in Majority Muslim Countries. International Journal of Islamic Studies Higher Education, 3(1), 65-80. https://doi.org/10.24036/insight.v3i1.209
Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Taufan, M., Rahman, I., Oktavia, G., & Guspita, R. (2023). Quran Teacher: Future Profession or Devotion to the Ummah?. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research of Higher Education (IJMURHICA), 6(4), 196-210. https://doi.org/10.24036/ijmurhica.v6i4.321
Engkizar, E., Muslim, H., Mulyadi, I., & Putra, Y. A. (2025). Ten Criteria for an Ideal Teacher to Memorize the Quran. Journal of Theory and Research Memorization Quran, 1(1), 26-39. https://joesmiq.intischolar.id/index.php/joesmiq/article/view/54
Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Alias, M. F. B., Guspita, R., & Albizar, A. (2025). Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence in Quranic Learning: Innovation or Threat?. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 1-17. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/article/view/7
Engkizar, E., Jaafar, A., Masuwd, M. A., Rahman, I., Datres, D., Taufan, M., Akmal, F., Dasrizal, D., Oktavia, G., Yusrial, Y., & Febriani, A. (2025). Challenges and Steps in Living Quran and Hadith Research: An Introduction. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research of Higher Education (IJMURHICA), 8(3), 426–435. https://doi.org/10.24036/ijmurhica.v8i3.396
Fajri, A., & Munir, S. (2022). The Role Model of The Kyai to Improve Religious Awareness of The Santri at Darul A’mal Islamic Boarding School Metro Lampung. Journal of Research in Islamic Education, 4(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.25217/jrie.v4i1.2403
Faoziyah, S. (2023). Inklusi Sosial Dalam Perspektif Keislaman: Meningkatkan Kesejahteraan Sosial Untuk Semua. AKSELERASI: Jurnal Ilmiah Nasional, 5(1), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.54783/jin.v5i1.677
Fatkhurrohim, F., Muhammad Yusuf, & Siti Roudhotul Jannah. (2021). Peran Kepribadian Kiai Dalam Pembentukan Karakter Cinta Tanah Air Santri Pondok Pesantren Darul Mardiyah Kampung Sumber Baru Kecamatan Seputih Banyak Provinsi Lampung. Berkala Ilmiah Pendidikan, 1(3), 116–126. https://doi.org/10.51214/bip.v1i3.271
Fauzi, M. F., Buhun, M. F., & Purwadi, A. (2019). The Influence of Teams Games Tournament (TGT) toward Students’ Interest in Arabic Language Learning. Izdihar : Journal of Arabic Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature, 2(2), 135–148. https://doi.org/10.22219/jiz.v2i2.9986
Garcia, A. (2025). The Role of Leadership in Educational Success in Islamic Institutions. International Journal of Educational Leadership, 19(3), 88–99. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEL.2025.123456
Gideon, A., & others. (2021). Occupational Safety and its Impact on Employee Performance. Safety and Health Journal, 42(2), 301–314. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.04.009
Gustiani, S. (2019). Research and Development ( R & D ) Method as a Model Design in Educational Research and Its Alternatives. Holistics Journal, 11(2), 13–14. https://jurnal.polsri.ac.id/index.php/holistic/article/view/1849/892
Hasibuan, U. S., Zidan, Z., Arya, M. N., Novia, S., & Parhan, M. (2024). Utilitarian Ethics In Science: Morality As A Basis Of Scientists’ Actions. Geneologi PAI, 11(02), 229–242.
Isfaroh, I. (2022). Etika Utilitarianisme dalam Pluralisme Husein Muhammad. Panangkaran: Jurnal Penelitian Agama Dan Masyarakat, 5(2), 234–248. https://doi.org/10.14421/panangkaran.v5i2.2641
Karim, A., Oman, F., Sulaiman, S., Lina, M., Muhammadun, M., & and Firmansyah, B. (2025). How do principals act as leaders and managers in boarding and public schools in Indonesia? Cogent Education, 12(1), 2445354. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2024.2445354
Khofi, M. B., & Furqon, M. (2005). Strategi Kepemimpinan Kiai Dalam Mengembangkan Pondok Pesantren. Journal Of Agromedicine, 9(2), 289–305. Https://Doi.Org/10.1300/J096v09n02_18
Koderi, Sufian, M., & Erlina. (2023). Developing Lampung Local Wisdom Film of Arabic Communication Skills for Madrasah Tsanawiyah Students. International Journal of Information and Education Technology, 13(12), 2004–2013. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2023.13.12.2015
Lubis, M. S., & Wijaya, C. (2023). Kiai ’ s Spiritual Leadership ( Multi-Site Study At Purba Baru Musthafawiyah Islamic Boarding School , Mandailing Natal Regency , And Al Jamaliyah Raso Islamic Boarding School , Central Tapanuli Regency ). EDUKASI: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Agama Dan Keagamaan, 12(1), 661–680. https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awr49RmJ3kxmzVgCAwRXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1717523338/RO=10/RU=https%3A%2F%2Fjurnal.staialhidayahbogor.ac.id%2Findex.php%2Fei%2Farticle%2Fview%2F6184%2F2221/RK=2/RS=UjaK_uZjYEVga0OZORKdWuMsBT
Mahfuzhi, H., & Ningsih, T. (2022). Peran Pendidikan Pesantren pada Perubahan Sosial Masyarakat di Dusun Karangtengah Wetan. Jurnal Kependidikan, 7(2), 19–27. file:///C:/Users/ASUS/Downloads/1097-Article Text-3401-1-10-20230117.pdf
Maulana, I., Marpaung, W. R., & Dahlan, Z. (2025). Kepemimpinan Kh. Abdurrahman Wahid: Praktik Dan Implementasi Perspektif Wahdatul ‘Ulum. Jurnal Media Akademik (Jma), 3(1).
Mikraj, A. L., Saputra, D. M., Mu, L., & Maghfur, A. (2025). Penerapan Teori Maslahat Izzuddin ibn Abd al-Salam dalam Menyelesaikan Persoalan Kepemimpinan Perempuan ( Analisis Berbasis Kitab Qawa ’ id al-Ahkam fi Masalih al-Anam ). AL MIKRAJ Jurnal Studi Islam Dan Humaniora, 5(2), 1644–1677. https://doi.org/10.37680/almikraj.v5i2.7291
Muhammad, S. (2024). Kepemimpinan Kiai Dalam Mewujudkan Panca Jiwa Pondok Di Pondok Pesantren Darul Falah Bandar Lampung. UIN RADEN INTAN LAMPUNG.
Mujahid, I. (2021). Islamic orthodoxy-based character education: creating moderate Muslim in a modern pesantren in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Islam and Muslim Societies, 11(2), 185–212. https://doi.org/10.18326/ijims.v11i2.185-212
Muji Kaliya Januar, Muhlas, Maman Lukmanul Hakim, M. A. P. N. (2016). Konsep Kebebasan dalam Pemikiran John Stuart Mill dan Muhammad Abduh: Studi Komparatif Filsafat Barat dan Islam. Jurnal Riset Agama, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.15575/jra.v5i1.43416
Rahman, I., Wati, W., Putri, N., Wulandari, R., & Habibi, U. A. (2025). Commercialization of Quranic Tahfidz Houses in Indonesia: Da’wah or Business?. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 34-48. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/article/view/6
Rahman, I., Nisa, K., & Saputri, R. E. (2020). Seven Students' Activities: A Case Study on Rumah Tahfidz An-Nur Daily Routine and Memorization Levels. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research of Higher Education (IJMURHICA), 3(3), 110-120. https://doi.org/10.24036/ijmurhica.v3i3.184
Sarkowi, S. (2024). Leadership Of Village Kyai In The Influence Of Religious Moderation. … Of International Conference On Education, Society …, 02(01), 386–397. https://ejournal.unuja.ac.id/index.php/icesh/article/view/7917%0Ahttps://ejournal.unuja.ac.id/index.php/icesh/article/viewFile/7917/2869
Serenko, A. (2023). The Great Resignation: the great knowledge exodus or the onset of the Great Knowledge Revolution? Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(4), 1042–1055. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-12-2021-0920
Zhenjing, G., Chupradit, S., Ku, K. Y., Nassani, A. A., & Haffar, M. (2022). Impact of Employees’ Workplace Environment on Employees’ Performance: A Multi-Mediation Model. Frontiers in Public Health, 10(May). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.890400
Zhenjing, L., Liu, M., & Tang, Y. (2022). Work Environment and Employee Performance: A Study on Telecommunication Companies. International Journal of Business Ethics, 15(4), 124–139. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.08.004
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Agus Munawar, Tulus Suryanto, Syafrimen Syafril, Koderi Koderi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
