When Scholars Differ, How Should Students Respond? KH Hasyim Asyari's Advice

In the treasury of Islamic knowledge, diverse opinions are common, and differences among scholars frequently arise. How should a santri, a student of religious sciences, navigate such situations? Hadratusyekh KH Hasyim Asyari, the founder of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School and Nahdlatul Ulama, offers advice on this matter in his book, Adab al Alim wa Mutaalim. According to Kiai Hasyim Asyari, a santri must exercise restraint from the very beginning and avoid becoming entangled in the differing views of scholars and people in general, whether in thought or hearsay, as this will lead to a restless heart and a troubled mind. He advises that a student should initially commit to a single book, and only use different texts after obtaining permission from their teacher. If a teacher’s method merely involves quoting and transferring opinions from various schools of thought without holding a firm position themselves, the student should be cautious, as Imam Al Ghazali noted the dangers of such an approach often outweigh the benefits. Kiai Hasyim Asyari further warns that studying various books prematurely can waste time and disrupt concentration. A santri should present the books and lessons they are studying to their teacher for guidance and confirmation. Similarly, jumping from one book to another without necessity should be avoided, as it may indicate boredom and a lack of fortune. However, once a student has acquired a sufficient foundational ability, it is better not to create new rulings but rather to study existing theories, as true happiness and peace come from cleansing oneself of ignorance and firmly holding onto knowledge without neglecting its practical application.