Integrating Khidmah and Tarbiyah: A Service-Learning Model in Indonesia’s Islamic Boarding School Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v9i2.151

Keywords:

Islamic Boarding School Education, Service-Learning, Community Engagement, Experiential Learning, Curriculum Integration

Abstract

This study examines the Khidmah Tholabah program at Nurul Qur'an Praya Islamic Boarding School, an innovative model integrating community service into Islamic education. The research addresses three objectives: analyzing the program's conceptual foundations by blending Islamic pedagogy with service-learning theory, evaluating its sociological impact on local communities, and investigating student competency development. Using a qualitative case study approach, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 22 participants (4 administrators, 10 students, and 8 community members), participant observation across all program phases, and analysis of institutional documents and student reflection journals from March to April 2024. Findings reveal that the program's three-stage implementation framework successfully merges classical Islamic concepts like khidmah (service) and tarbiyah (holistic education) with experiential learning methodologies. Students developed enhanced religious understanding, teaching skills, and leadership capabilities through structured community engagement activities including Quranic instruction, Islamic lectures, and environmental clean-ups. The program strengthened community ties through reciprocal learning relationships and revived communal religious practices. The study’s originality lies in its detailed documentation of how traditional pesantren education can systematically incorporate service learning while maintaining religious authenticity. Key limitations include the single-site nature of the study and the relatively short observation period. The findings offer valuable insights for Islamic educators seeking to develop curriculum models that combine spiritual formation with social responsibility.

References

[1] Abdullah, M. (2018). Reorientation of Islamic Education: Synergizing Tarbiyah and Dakwah To Answer Social Problems. Didaktika Religia, 6(1), 29–50. https://doi.org/10.30762/didaktika.v6i1.1093

[2] Achmadin, B. Z. … Barizi, A. (2024). Evaluation Model of Islamic Religious Education Learning Program at Madrasah ’ Aliyah Level in East Java. Al-Riwayah : Jurnal Kependidikan, 16(2), 185–212. https://doi.org/10.47945/al-riwayah.v16i2.1482

[3] Ahmed, F., & Chowdhury, S. (2024). Rethinking contemporary schooling in Muslim contexts: An Islamic conceptual framework for reconstructing K-12 education. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 57(2), 152–165. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2024.2411325

[4] Aji, T. S., & Kulkarni, H. (2025). Empowering Students through Congregational Leadership : A New Approach to Character Education in Islamic Boarding Schools. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bidang Sosial Dan Humaniora, 9(1), 72–85. https://doi.org/10.55123/abdisoshum.v3i4.4347

[5] Akmansyah, M. (2015). Al-Qur’an dan Al-Sunnah sebagai Dasar Ideal Pendidikan Islam. Jurnal Pengembangan Masyarakat Islam, 8(2), 127–142. https://doi.org/10.24042/ijpmi.v8i2.914

[6] Alid, C. R. … Basalamah, R. (2022). Curriculum Modernization Strategy in Salaf Islamic Boarding School Based on Indonesian National Qualification Framework. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 5(3), 1118–1128. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v5i3.2459

[7] Azzam, M. Y. … Hilmi, M. D. (2025). Basic Concepts of Tarbiyah Ta ’ lim and Ta ’ dib Education. Bulletin of Islamic Research, 3(1), 95–102. https://doi.org/10.69526/bir.v3i1.173

[8] Bashith, A. … Amrullah, A. M. K. (2025). Nexus of economic teaching in religious education: a case study of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia. Cogent Education, 12(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2486633

[9] Brifkani, I. (2023). Islamic Pedagogy for Guidance and Transformation Toward an Islamic Experiential Learning Model. Journal of Education in Muslim Societies, 5(1), 106–112. https://doi.org/10.2979/jems.5.1.07

[10] Chanifah, N. … Samsudin, A. (2021). Designing a spirituality-based Islamic education framework for young muslim generations: a case study from two Indonesian universities. Higher Education Pedagogies, 6(1), 195–211. https://doi.org/10.1080/23752696.2021.1960879

[11] Elderly Member. (2025). Interview with an Elderly Member.

[12] Fancourt, N. … Chan, J. (2020). Argumentation in religious education in England: An analysis of Locally Agreed Syllabuses. British Journal of Religious Education, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2020.1734916

[13] Fitriani, W. (2024). Integrasi Perkembangan Moral Dengan Perilaku. Oasis: Jurnal Ilmiah Kajian Islam, 9(1), 65–78. https://doi.org/10.24235/oasis.v9i1.11619

[14] Fontana, G. (2015). Religious education after conflicts: promoting social cohesion or entrenching existing cleavages? Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 46(5), 811–831. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2015.1099422

[15] Guardian. (2025). Interview with Guardian of Santri.

[16] Haidir, H. … Fariz, M. (2021). An Innovation of Islamic Religious Education in The Era of The Industrial Revolution 4.0 in Elementary School. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 4(3), 720–734. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v4i3.1688

[17] Hasan, M. S. … Padil, M. (2021). Implications of Service-Based Learning Towards the Building of Santri’S Social Care in Pondok Pesantren Darussalam Kediri and Pondok Pesantren Al Urwatul Wutsqo Jombang. Didaktika Religia, 9(1), 59–80. https://doi.org/10.30762/didaktika.v9i1.2879

[18] Huda, A. B. … Sabila, D. (2023). Hakikat Evaluasi Dalam Pendidikan Islam. Alacrity : Journal Of Education, 3(2), 10–18. https://doi.org/10.52121/alacrity.v3i2.167

[19] Ibrahim, R. (2016). Pesantren Dan Pengabdian Masyarakat (Studi Kasus Pondok Pesantren Dawar Boyolali). Al-Tahrir: Jurnal Pemikiran Islam, 16(1), 89. https://doi.org/10.21154/al-tahrir.v16i1.316

[20] Ikhwan, A. … Jaelani, D. I. (2019). Innovation of Islamic Education through the Implementation of Mandatory Program Madrasah Diniyah (Non-Formal Religious Education Institutions) in Formal Institution. 1st International Conference on Life, Innovation, Change and Knowledge (ICLICK 2018), 320–323. https://doi.org/10.2991/iclick-18.2019.66

[21] Jackson, R. (2012). Religious education and social and community cohesion: an exploration of challenges and opportunities. British Journal of Religious Education, 34(1), 101–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2012.634584

[22] Kaak, P., & and LaPorte, M. (2021). A Faith-Informed Model for Experiential Learning Applied to Faith Integrated Service-Learning. Christian Higher Education, 21(1–2), 11–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/15363759.2021.2004563

[23] Kosim, M. … Laila, N. Q. (2023). The Dynamics Of Islamic Education Policies In Indonesia. Cogent Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2172930

[24] Kurniawati, W., & Anshory, M. I. (2024). Pendidikan Pesantren di Zaman Teknologi antara Tradisi dan Modernitas. Tsaqofah, 4(1), 640–654. https://doi.org/10.58578/tsaqofah.v4i1.2548

[25] Ma`arif, M. A. … Nasith, A. (2023). Developing Pesantren Educator Resources through Optimizing the Learning Organization. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(3), 475–491. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v6i3.4415

[26] Maemonah, M. … Aziz, H. (2023). Contestation of Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia: Content analysis on social media. Cogent Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2022.2164019

[27] Malik, A. (2023). New variants of ultra-conservative Islamic schools in Indonesia: A study on Islamic school endeavor with Islamic group movement. Power and Education, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/17577438231163042

[28] Manshuruddin. (2019). Pondok Pesantren Modern: Politik Pendidikan Islam Dan Tantangan Identitas Muslim. Al-Hadi, 11(1), 1–14. http://scioteca.caf.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/1091/RED2017-Eng-8ene.pdf?sequence=12&isAllowed=y%0Ahttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.regsciurbeco.2008.06.005%0Ahttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/305320484_sistem_pembetungan_terpusat_strategi_melestari

[29] Mardiana, D. … Umiarso, U. (2020). Development of Islamic Education: The Multidisciplinary, Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Approaches. Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 4(1), 58–68. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v4i1.97

[30] Marshallsay, Z. (2012). Twists and turns of Islamic education across the Islamic world. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 7(3), 180–190. https://doi.org/10.5172/ijpl.2012.7.3.180

[31] Maryati, S. … Tri Samiha, Y. (2023). Madrasah As an Institution of Islamic Education and Social Change. Jurnal Konseling Pendidikan Islam, 4(2), 317–326. https://doi.org/10.32806/jkpi.v4i2.11

[32] Marzuki … Amiin, M. (2022). Modernisasi Sistem Pendidikan Pesantren Marzuki. Jurnal Al-Kifayah: Ilmu Tarbiyah Dan Keguruan, 1(2), 72–79. https://doi.org/10.53398/ja.v1i2.214

[33] Mas’ud, A. … Zaini, A. (2019). Evolution and orientation of Islamic education in Indonesia and Malaysia. Journal of Indonesian Islam, 13(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.15642/JIIS.2019.13.1.21-49

[34] Masduki, M. (2019). Pendidikan Berbasis Masyarakat Dalam Pendidikan Islam. Qalamuna, 11(2), 111–123. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.3559288

[35] Musa, I. A. (2015). A Five-Stage Model of Qur’anic Pedagogy Integration into Teacher Education Curriculum. Tarbiya: Journal of Education in Muslim Society, 2(1), 12–22. https://doi.org/10.15408/tjems.v2i1.1748

[36] Ngai, S. S.-Y. … and Chan, K.-B. (2010). Building Reciprocal Partnerships for Service-Learning: The Experiences of Hong Kong Secondary School Teachers. Child & Youth Services, 31(3–4), 170–187. https://doi.org/10.1080/0145935X.2009.524483

[37] Nurtawab, E., & Wahyudi, D. (2022). Restructuring Traditional Islamic Education in Indonesia: Challenges for Pesantren Institution. Studia Islamika, 29(1), 55–81. https://doi.org/10.36712/sdi.v29i1.17414

[38] Parlan, H. P. … Lusida, N. (2024). Problematika Pesantren dan Lembaga Pendidikan Islam. Reslaj: Religion Education Social Laa Roiba Journal, 6(11), 5067–5082. https://doi.org/10.47476/reslaj.v6i11.3691

[39] Ramdhan. (2025). Interview with Ustadz Ramdhan.

[40] Rasyid, M. (2016). Perspektif Islam Tentang Evaluasi Pendidikan. Ittihad, 14(25), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.18592/ittihad.v14i25.857

[41] Ridwan, M., & Maryati, S. (2024). Dari Tradisi Ke Masa Depan : Tantangan Pendidikan Islam dalam Masyarakat Kontemporer. Dirasah : Jurnal Studi Ilmu Dan Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 7(2), 630–641. https://doi.org/10.58401/dirasah.v7i2.1328

[42] Rissanen, I., & Sai, Y. (2018). A comparative study of how social cohesion is taught in Islamic religious education in Finland and Ireland. British Journal of Religious Education, 40(3), 337–347. https://doi.org/10.1080/01416200.2017.1352487

[43] Romdhoni, A. A. (2023). Islamic Educational Learning Methods. Al-Fadlan: Journal of Islamic Education and Teaching, 1(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.61166/fadlan.v1i1.3

[44] Rose, J. (2018). Developing and Sequencing Community Engagement and Experiential Education: A Case Study of Urban Geography Teaching and Research. Professional Geographer, 70(2), 305–310. https://doi.org/10.1080/00330124.2017.1366786

[45] Saada, N., & Gross, Z. (2017). Islamic education and the challenge of democratic citizenship: a critical perspective. Discourse: Studies In The Cultural Politics Of Education, 38(6), 807–822. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2016.1191011

[46] Salim. (2025). Interview with Ustadz Salim.

[47] Santi, M. R. A. & S. S. (2024). Pendekatan Pembelajaran Berbasis Gaya Belajar dan Pembelajaran Berdiferensiasi dalam Pendidikan Agama Islam dengan Metode Service Learning. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bidang Sosial Dan Humaniora, 3(4), 254–265. https://doi.org/10.55123/abdisoshum.v3i4.4347

[48] Santri. (2025). Interview with Santri.

[49] Sari, M. A. (2024). Perbandingan Konsep Tarbiyah, Ta’lim, dan Ta’dib. Alfihris : Jurnal Inspirasi Pendidikan, 2(1), 14–22. https://doi.org/10.59246/alfihris.v2i1.611

[50] Sukatin, S. … Tari, N. R. (2023). Pendidikan Anak dalam Islam. Multiverse: Open Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(3), 408–415. https://doi.org/10.57251/multiverse.v2i3.1264

[51] Uskuniyah, S. H., & Ashari, M. Y. (2024). Model dan Karakteristik Pendekatan Perencanaan Pendidikan Islam. Jurnal Manajemen Pendidikan Islam, 3(2), 77–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.31958/manapi.v3i2.13681

Downloads

Published

2025-06-17

How to Cite

Integrating Khidmah and Tarbiyah: A Service-Learning Model in Indonesia’s Islamic Boarding School Education. (2025). Al-Hayat: Journal of Islamic Education, 9(2), 347-368. https://doi.org/10.35723/ajie.v9i2.151

Similar Articles

1-10 of 110

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.