TRADITION IN TRANSITION: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF ARABIC LANGUAGE LEARNING AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION AMONG SALAFI PESANTREN GRADUATES

Abstract

This study explores the intersection between tradition and modernity in the context of Arabic language learning among graduates of Salafi pesantren in Indonesia. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, the research investigates how former students from Salafi institutions navigate the transition from traditional Islamic education characterized by talaqqi, memorization, and hierarchical teacher student relationships to modern academic settings that emphasize critical thinking, open discussion, and digital literacy. The findings reveal that Arabic learning in Salafi pesantren is not merely an academic pursuit but a spiritual practice grounded in niyyah (intention), adab (ethics), and barakah al-‘ilm (the blessing of knowledge). Upon entering higher education, participants experience cognitive and emotional shifts, including culture shock and identity negotiation, as they encounter new pedagogical norms. Nevertheless, their responses demonstrate a nuanced pattern of adaptation ranging from selective acceptance of modern methods to the integration of traditional and contemporary learning approaches. The study concludes that this process of negotiation reflects a form of cultural resilience, where the values of turath (Islamic scholarly tradition) are preserved while simultaneously being reinterpreted within the framework of modern education. These findings contribute to broader discussions on Islamic educational transformation and the evolving role of Arabic as both religious capital and academic competency in Indonesia’s plural educational landscape.