Preaching in the 'Thieves' Village'
KH Raden Syamsul Arifin was a great ulama in Indonesian history. Particularly for Nahdliyin communities, he is remembered as the founder of Pondok Pesantren Salafiyah Syafiiyah Sukorejo in Situbondo, East Java. Later, his son Raden As’ad became one of the instrumental figures in the establishment of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) organisation.
Born with the name Ibrahim in 1841 AD, KH R Syamsul Arifin was a descendant of the Wali Songo. As explained in the book KHR As’ad Syamsul Arifin: Riwayat Hidup dan Perjuangannya, Ibrahim, also known as Raden Syamsul Arifin, grew up in a santri environment, particularly at Pesantren Kembang Kuning in Lancar Village, Pamekasan, Madura.
At the age of 12, Syamsul Arifin studied at Ponpes Sidogiri, East Java. There, his intelligence stood out prominently. In fact, within a few months, he was permitted to become an assistant to the ustaz.
From Sidogiri, Syamsul Arifin continued his education at Ponpes Langitan, Tuban. After that, he returned to Madura to seek knowledge from Kiai Kholil in Bangkalan. Over time, he grew closer to that charismatic ulama known as “Syaikhona”.
Preaching in a den of sin
After becoming a student of Syaikhona Kholil Bangkalan, Kiai Syamsul Arifin returned to his hometown. He had solidified his resolve to pursue the path of Islamic dakwah.
He arrived in a region in Madura. Kiai Syamsul Arifin found the local community suspicious of pesantrens.
In fact, the residents were more familiar with sinful acts rather than Islamic religious dakwah. They were highly permissive towards various social ills, such as gambling, cockfighting, and drunkenness. It is said that this is what caused the village to become famously known as the “Thieves’ Village”.
As a dai, Kiai Syamsul Arifin felt burdened by sin if he allowed such immorality to proliferate unchecked. Finally, this alumnus of Pesantren Bangkalan plunged directly into the midst of the village community to preach.
He well understood the approach to dakwah needed to confront people permissive towards sin. On one occasion, Kiai Syamsul Arifin heard news of a remongan in the village. That event was a kind of debauched party, often attended by various criminals, such as gamblers or thieves.