Degree to subjugate Kiai Hasyim Asy'ari

At the colonial era, the Dutch government worried about the constantly awakening of religious movements for being regarded to have disturbed the colonial quiet. To anticipate the religious movements, Dutch took immediately preventive step by dispatching intellectuals to pesantrens. It likely reminds us of the same moment while the Dutch ordered Gericke to observe pesantren’s activity of Tegalsari that was allegedly as a spiritual source of Diponegoro’s revolt.

At the same time, the Dutch government ordered van der Plaas to campaign pesantren’s modernization. At that time KH Hasyim Asy’ari realized that there would have been such an “evil tactic” to undermine pesantren educational system to change it into Dutch school system.

Kiai Hasyim’s perseverance was to fight against colonial agenda by strengthening pesantren educational networks within broader extent. Dealing with the charismatic and courageous of the ulama, Dutch took other strategy, not to whip up a rebellion. Dutch in other way strived to tame intellectuals by bestowing prestigious “Silver Star/Bintang Perak” degree for their services in evolving Islamic education. Ironically, Kiai Hasyim rejected to receive it, because he realized that it was just a trick.

For the Dutch knew that its agendas would fail, the colonial gave Kiai Hasyim a most prestigious “Gold Star/Bintang Emas” degree. He did not change his mind. He again refused to accept it.

Eventually, Dutch was likely in uncontrolled mind to win his heart. And even Kiai Hasyim was increasingly opposed to any Dutch policy, such as matters pertaining to inheritance that would be integrated into Nationaale Raad (civil law). It regarded by Kiai Hasyim as an attempt to intervene Islamic law authority. That is why he rejected it.

The ancient ulamas believed that pesantren’s Islamic educational spirit was able to handle its own education. They did realize that whatever colonial’s assistance, it was aimed at colonizing the beloved country of ours. Unfortunately, his descendants and followers now have no longer followed his heroism and perseverance. Ironically, they have felt comfortable to receive such shining degrees in national and international scale.

Now, considering the scholarly competence and integrity of ulamas that have increasingly declined as a result of thirst for degree as legitimation of their position (keulamaan: read). Again, we need to follow what Kiai Hasyim had ever done during the colonial era. (Mun’im DZ)