Theology of health of Quranic pesantren in the time of COVID-19

Ahmad Baidowi,Abdul Mustaqim,Ahmad Salehudin,Nurul Hak,Saifuddin Z Qudsy

doi:10.4102/hts.v77i4.6452

Abstract

Applying the dormitory system for thousands of santri (student of Islamic boarding school in Indonesia), Quranic pesantren (Islamic boarding school) has been considered as one of the main culprits in the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Such assumption is created solely from the applicable health protocols and protective measures to avoid COVID-19 transmission in pesantren. As a matter of fact, pesantrens are known to have applied a distinctive way of coping with COVID-19. This study aims to elucidate the theology of health of Quranic pesantren in the face of COVID-19. Research data were generated through observational method on three Quranic pesantrens in Yogyakarta, interviews with caregivers, the COVID-19 task force of the pesantren, santri and documentation related to the handling of COVID-19 in the three pesantrens. The results showed that the Quranic pesantren as a subculture has a distinctive way of dealing with COVID-19 pandemic by integrating modified health protocols in accordance with the actual conditions of the pesantren and by applying rituals of Islamic spirituality by reciting verses of the Qur’an, salawat (prayers for the Prophet), prayers and hizib (prayer for salvation and rejecting calamities). Three pesantrens chose these methods by drawing on the belief that COVID-19 is God’s creature and, thus, it only works on God’s orders and will stop if God wills. In line with this, this study suggests a method for handling COVID-19 by not only emphasising the health protocols and medical procedures but also taking into account the importance of local wisdom.Contribution statement: This article contributes to the strategy of COVID-19 handling by combining the health protocols of COVID-19 and the applicable local wisdom, such as religious ritual as practiced by numerous pesantren in Indonesia.

Highlights

Pesantren, which has long been known as the place to learn about Islam, tafaqquh fi al-din (Dhofier 1984; Suryadi & Mansur 2017; Wahid 2001), is faced with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has caused unprecedented educational disruption
This study presents three important findings: the views of pesantrens on the COVID-19 pandemic, the applicable adaptation and modification of health protocols and rituals of Islamic spirituality to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 is a catastrophe and an ordeal for all mankind that must be addressed with the best physical and mental effort. Such effort is applied in the health protocols applied by pesantrens whilst sending the santri home at the early outbreak of the COVID-19, the procedures to welcome santri who return to pesantrens, the learning process and the daily life of the santri at the pesantrens during the pandemic situation

Summary

Introduction

Pesantren, which has long been known as the place to learn about Islam, tafaqquh fi al-din (gaining a deeper understanding on Islamic studies) (Dhofier 1984; Suryadi & Mansur 2017; Wahid 2001), is faced with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has caused unprecedented educational disruption. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has turned some pesantrens into a new cluster for the transmission of the virus. Pesantren as a subculture (Wahid 2001), based on its theology and rationality, has an authentic survival strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The measurements taken by pesantren in this matter, as Abdullah (2020) pointed out, are a form of reactive activity individually or collectively carried out to anticipate the spread of the virus

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