KH. Yusuf Hasyim: Military Kiai, Educational Renewers, and True Patriot

Name KH. Muhammad Yusuf Hasyim or who is familiarly called “Disassemble” is one of the important figures in modern Indonesian history whose work cannot be separated from the struggle for independence, renewal of pesantren education, and strengthening national ideology. As the youngest son of the founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) as well as the founder of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, KH. Hasyim Asy’ari, and the younger sibling of KH. Wahid Hasyim and Uncle from the Fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, KH. Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), KH. Yusuf Hasyim grew up in a very thick ulama environment with scientific traditions, struggles, and nationalism. Kiai Yusuf Hasyim inherited his father’s fighting spirit and science, but with a unique and innovative approach.

KH. Yusuf Hasyim was born on April 10, 1929 in the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, Jombang. As the son of KH. Hasyim Asy’ari, he received direct religious education from great scholars, including his own father, and his brother KH. Wahid Hasyim. Since young, Yusuf Hasyim is known as an intelligent and broad -minded figure.

After completing primary and secondary education in the pesantren environment, he continued his education abroad. Yusuf Hasyim had studied in India and Mecca, deepening Islamic science and contemporary Islamic world thinking. This international education enriches its thinking and expands the international nuclear network.

Military Kiai and Mobilizer

Kiai Yusuf Hasyim’s work as a warrior has begun since the age of 16 years. In 1945, in the midst of the revolutionary turmoil, he joined Laskar Hizbullah in East Java. As a commander, he was directly involved in fierce battles against the invaders, including in the heroic event of Surabaya Battle 10 November 1945. The headquarters were in Gunungsari, which is now the Kodam V/Brawijaya complex.

One of the monumental services is his role in saving Madiun from the potential to become a state controlled by the invaders. He also struggled in maintaining post-independence territory through the van mook line. His work as a “military kiai” showed an unwavering commitment in defending the motherland. In fact, he was shot in a gun battle in the village of Nglaban, Cukir, which fortunately did not penetrate his chest. For this struggle, he was awarded a number of awards stars, including guerrilla stars and Satya Badge.

KH. Yusuf Hasyim was also active in the Santri military consolidation after the 1945 Proclamation. He played a role in the unification of Islamic troops under one command that supported the struggle for Indonesian independence. The spirit of defending the country which is instilled becomes a kind of constitutional jihad doctrine for students and kiai.

Back to the pesantren

After the physical struggle subsided, Joseph Hasyim did not remain silent. He continued the struggle through the path of education. One of the biggest inheritance is the improvement and development of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School. He made Tebuireng not only a center for religious science, but also as a formal educational institution that printed cadres of national leaders. At that time, public schools were still considered foreign in the pesantren environment. However, Kiai Yusuf Hasyim dared to break down tradition by establishing a junior and senior high school level in Tebuireng.

This visionary idea had caused concern and criticism from some circles, but Kiai Yusuf Hasyim remained firm in his establishment. He believes that pesantren must produce students who master the knowledge of religion and general science in a balanced way. The climax, in 1965, he founded Hasyim Asy’ari University (Unhasy), a tertiary institution in the pesantren environment which is a clear proof of its commitment to the modernization of Islamic education.

His work in the world of education proves his vision as a very modern scholar and thinks far ahead. He stressed the importance of ijtihad, critical thinking, and the involvement of students in the national socio-political domain.

Politics and strengthening of national ideology

Kiai Yusuf Hasyim is also known as a figure who is active in the political arena and social movement. He is also one of the central figures in returning NU to Khittah 1926 in 1984, a historic step that returns NU as a social organization that focuses on da’wah and education.

In the New Order era, Yusuf Hasyim became a bridge between NU and the government. He is known as a diplomatic figure but remains critical of state policies that are not in favor of the small people. Throughout his life, Kiai Yusuf Hasyim always held fast to the ideology of nationalism and moderate Islam. He often quoted the opinion of Imam Ghazali, “The state and religion are siblings born in the womb of a same mother.” For him, Indonesia is our prayer rug, blood, and spirit. When Indonesia was injured, Islam was also injured, and vice versa.

As a great scholar, KH. Yusuf Hasyim is known as a figure of Islamic moderation. He fought for Islam that is friendly, tolerant, and appreciate diversity. In many speeches and writings, he emphasized the importance of the love of the motherland as part of faith. This is in line with the doctrine of Hubbul Wathan Minal Faith which is held firmly by NU. He is also active in interfaith dialogue and becomes an important figure in steming extremism among Muslims. His view of Nusantara Islam became an inspiration for the generation of scholars afterwards.

Kiai Yusuf Hasyim is a figure of students, soldiers, scholars and politicians who dedicate their lives to the progress of the nation. KH. Yusuf Hasyim died in 2006 at the age of 77 years and was buried in the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School Complex. Thousands of mourners from various regions were present to pay their last respects. Until now, his thoughts continue to be passed on through educational institutions and students spread throughout Indonesia.

KH. Yusuf Hasyim is an important figure in the history of the Indonesian people. He is a cleric, warrior, educator, and statesman. Exemplary, sacrifice, and contribution in various aspects of the life of the nation makes themselves will always be remembered by their students. As the famous Dawuh: “Santri can not only recite the Koran, but also must be able to lead the country.” This expression is not just words, but the spirit of life that he inherited for the Indonesian people. Thank you Kiai, we santrmu remember you with all our glory and respect.

Also read: Gus Irfan tells the figure of his father, KH. Yusuf Hasyim

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Author: Muhammad Arief Albani, Advisor to PW Ikapete Papua