KH Said Aqil Appreciates Kiai Zulfa's Kitab Ithafu Ummati Al-Muqtafa, Hopes NU Continues to Develop

Mustasyar of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) Prof KH Said Aqil Siroj has expressed appreciation for the publication of the book Ithafu Ummati Al-Muqtafa by PBNU Vice Chairman KH Zulfa Mustofa. The Arabic-language scholarly work originates from the Nusantara intellectual tradition and was written by a santri who studied directly under prominent ulama.

“The author is a santri who drew knowledge directly from the fountain of knowledge in Kajen, Pati, Central Java, including from KH Sahal Mahfudz, the renowned Rais Aam famed for his expertise in fiqh and ushul fiqh,” said Kiai Mujib Qulyubi, reading a speech on behalf of KH Said Aqil at the Sunda Kelapa Mosque in Central Jakarta on Friday.

Kiai Said added that this book represents an important effort to revive the deep, sanad-based, and grounded scholarly spirit of pesantren, especially amidst the strong currents of often shallow digital information. “Amidst the rapid flow of all-digital and shallow technological information, creating a reference that is firmly rooted in a field of knowledge, like this book, is a fundamental necessity for the development of science,” he stated.

He assessed that KH Zulfa’s work also serves as a reminder that Nahdlatul Ulama is not solely preoccupied with organisational administrative matters, but also rests on the scholarly treasures that are the soul of its struggle. “Amidst his busy schedule as Vice Chairman of PBNU, KH Zulfa reminds us that NU’s task is not merely about organisational administrative affairs but also about scholarly treasures,” he said.

According to him, NU will progress and develop further if it can walk on a strong foundation of knowledge, supported by good organisational governance. “We hope that through this book, we can delve deeper into the content, methodology, relevance, and ideas contained within it,” he said.

Kiai Said also appreciated the presence of the work, which is considered capable of reviving the literacy tradition in the pesantren world. He noted that the book Ithafu Ummati Al-Muqtafa is an important part of preserving and developing Islamic scholarly treasures. “Hopefully this will be a trigger for scholars, intellectuals, and thinkers within NU to continue developing turats studies more broadly, so as to answer various societal challenges in the era of globalisation,” said Kiai Said.

The event, titled Launching & Bedah Kitab Ithafu Ummati Al-Muqtafa, was attended by PBNU officials, regional PWNU and PCNU administrators. Several figures attended as book discussants, including KH Abdul Ghofur Maimun, KH Mujib Qulyubi, and KH Abdullah Syamsul Arifin.

The book Ithafu Ummati Al Muqtafa compiles four Arabic-language works discussing the Bahtsul Masail methodology, ushul fiqh, contemporary fatwas, and the intellectual history of Syekh Nawawi al-Bantani. One of its main discussions reviews the legal decision-making methodology within NU, which emphasises the importance of understanding the objectives of sharia (maqashid syariah), social conditions, customs, and contemporary developments before a fatwa is issued.

This book was authored directly by PBNU Vice Chairman KH Zulfa Mustofa. He was born on 7 August 1977 in Jakarta into a family of ulama. His father is KH Muqarrabin from Pekalongan and his mother is Nyai Hajjah Marhumah Latifah from Kresek, Tangerang. With this family background, he is a descendant of great Nusantara ulama. He is also the nephew of Vice President Ma’ruf Amin and a descendant of Syekh Nawawi al-Bantani.

His formal education began at SD Al-Jihad Tanjung Priok, later continuing in Pekalongan. He studied at Madrasah Tsanawiyah Salafiyah Simbangkulon and Pesantren Mathali’ul Falah Kajen, Pati. He completed his aliyah level in 1996, then deepened his knowledge until receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Arudl Science from UINSA Surabaya.

Zulfa’s involvement in NU began in his youth. He served as Vice Chairman of GP Ansor for the 2015–2020 period and was also entrusted as Chairman of the PBNU Baitul Mal Institute. Subsequently, for 2021–2026, he joined the structure as Katib Syuriyah PBNU. His career continued to rise when he was elected Vice Chairman of Tanfidziyah PBNU for the 2022–2027 period. Outside PBNU, he holds several positions, including Secretary General of MUI DKI Jakarta and Chairman of the Fatwa Committee of BPJPH at the Ministry of Religious Affairs. His expertise in ushul fiqh is widely recognised, and he is also known as a poet and writer.