METHODS OF READING THE KITAB KUNING BETWEEN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

The kitab kuning is not merely a term referring to yellow-colored books, but rather to classical Islamic books written by ulama (Islamic scholars). In Indonesia, the term kitab kuning is more commonly used by Islamic scholars, and it is also often called kitab gundul (unvowelled text). However, in academic circles, both in Indonesia and abroad, it is more widely known as turats. Reading the kitab kuning is an essential skill that should be possessed by every seeker of Islamic knowledge and prospective da’i (Islamic preacher). The ability to read unvowelled kitab kuning greatly assists Muslims in exploring the arguments and teachings found in the Qur’an and Hadith. Islamic boarding school students (santri) and university students are seekers of knowledge whose success is highly anticipated by society. They are regarded as the nation’s future generation who are capable of transmitting Islamic values. Although santri and university students differ in developing the ability to read the kitab kuning, these differences do not diminish the substance of understanding its contents. The methods used by santri include wetonan, sorogan, mużākarah, and takhdim. Meanwhile, university students employ qirā’ah, simā’ah, takallum, and kitābah methods.