Islamic education leadership model comparative study of K.H. Ahmad Dahlan and K.H. Imam Zarkasy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51468/jpi.v8i1.1400Keywords:
Leadership Model, Islamic Education, KH Ahmad Dahlan, KH Imam Zarkasyi, Comparative StudiesAbstract
This study aims to analyze and compare the leadership models of Islamic education of KH Ahmad Dahlan and KH Imam Zarkasyi in the context of contemporary Islamic education challenges characterized by leadership crises, degradation of values, and demands for adaptation to changing times. This study uses a qualitative approach with a literature study method on various relevant primary and secondary sources. The results of the study show that both figures apply leadership that is transformational, visionary, and oriented towards reforming the people's education system. KH Ahmad Dahlan carried out transformation through the Muhammadiyah movement by emphasizing the integration of religious and general knowledge, reform of learning methods, and strengthening the role of education in building the socio-religious awareness of the community. Meanwhile, KH Imam Zarkasyi modernized the pesantren through institutional system reform, professional education management, an integrated curriculum, and character development of students based on pesantren values. This study concludes that in the midst of the challenges of modernization, globalization, and character crisis, the leadership models of the two figures remain relevant as a strategic reference for the development of sustainable and competitive Islamic education.
References
Abdul Wahab, U. (2011). Educational Leadership and Spiritual Intelligence. Ar-Ruzz Media.
Ahmad. (2020). Strategic Management (Makassar). Nas Media Pustaka.
Ahmad Asron Mundofi. (2024). Development of the Ismuba curriculum in improving the quality of Muhammadiyah education. Journal of Islamic Studies and Muhammadiyah (JASIKA), 4(1), 65–7.
Akhyar, M., Zulmuqim, & Kosim., M. (2024). The Idea of Progressive Islamic Education Reform Perspective of K.H. Ahmad Dahlan. 12(1), 1–19.
Ali, M. (2016). "Dissecting the Purpose of Muhammadiyah Education". Prophetic, Journal of Islamic Studies, 17(1),.
Alim, Z. F. Al, & Ali, & M. (2021). "The reform of Islamic education in the view of KH. Ahmad Dahlan." University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta.
Burhanuddin, B. (2019). Islamic Education Leadership. Al-Qalam: Journal of Islamic Studies and Education, 11(1), 268–269. http://journal.iaimsinjai.ac.id/index.php/al-qalam
Ellitan, L., & Anatan, & L. (2021). Strategic Operation Management. Pascal Books.
Fadhli, M., & Maunah, & B. (2019). Islamic Education Leadership Model: Transformational, Visionary and Situational,. Ziryab: Journal of Islamic Education, 1, no 1.
Fatihah, I. (2018). Leadership of KH . Imam Zarkasyi at the Modern Hut. Jiem (Journal of Islamic Education Management), 2(2), 26–43.
Habeahan, S., Dhiba, F., Info, A., Rasulullah, K., Leadership, P., & Leadership, U. (2025). Multidisciplinary Science of Muhammadiyah Leadership: Prophetic Leadership. 2(6), 1480–1486.
Hidayanto, A., Hikmatiyar, A., & Huda, S. (2025). KH Ahmad Dahlan's Teachings: Foundation of Muhammadiyah Educational Philosophy. Journal of Islamic and Muhammadiyah Studies, 6(1).
Ifani, M. Z. (2025). The Legacy of Quantum Leadership in the Style of KH Ahmad Dahlan. LPCR. PM. PP. Muhammadiyah. https://lpcr.or.id/warisan-kepemimpinan-kuantum-ala-kh-ahmad-dahlan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Ihsan, N. H., & Hakim., & M. A. (2004). Profile of Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor. Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor.
Ministry of Education and Education. (2025). Inspiration for Character Education through the Example of Innovative Leadership of K. H. Ahmad Dahlan. https://www.kemendikdasmen.go.id/siaran-pers/12639-inspirasi-pendidikan-karakter-melalui-keteladanan-kepemimpinan-k-h-ahmad-dahlan-yang-inovatif?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Madjid, N. (1997). The rooms of the pesantren are a portrait of a journey. Paramadina.
Mahrussilah, M. (2022). Fiqh Neurostorytelling: The Oral Tradition of Fath al-Mu'in Teaching in Banten. A-Four.
February edition of Gontor Magazine. (2014).
Mayarisa, D. (2018). "The Concept of Integration of Islamic Education in the Perspective of Kh. Ahmad Dahlan's Thought." Fig. 2, no. 1.
Mu'thi, A., Mulkhan, A. M., & Marihandono, and D. (2015). K.H. Ahmad Dahlan (1868-1923). National Awakening Museum.
Mustadi, A., Amelia, R., Budiarti, W. N., Anggraini, D., Amalia, E., & Susandi., and A. (2021). Effective Language and Literature Skills Learning Strategies in Elementary Schools. UNY Press.
Nurhijjah, F., & Hariyanto, W. (2024). K.H. Imam Zarkasyi and the Transformation of Modern Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia. Muslimheritage, 9, Number 1. https://doi.org/10.21154/muslimheritage.v9i1.8854
Okastina, A. H., Ok, A. H., & Usiono. (2025). The Concept of KH Ahmad Dahlan's Thought in Islamic Education. 4(April), 60–69. https://doi.org/10.59342/jgt.v4i1
Putra, D. W. (2018). "The Concept of Islamic Education in the Perspective of KH Ahmad Dahlan,." Tarlim: Journal of Islamic Religious Education, 1, no. Also Read: 2, 99–107.
Rahmawati, Z. D. (2019). Leadership Education Perspective K.H. Imam Zarkasyi. Ta‟Lim : Journal of Islamic Education Studies, Vol.2 No.1(1), 107–115.
Rasid, R. (2018). Transformative Leadership of K. H. Ahmad Dahlan in Muhammadiyah. Journal of Humanics, Th. XVIII, 1, 50–58.
Roybah, R., & Munib, & A. (2022). "The Concept of Islamic Education from the Perspective of KH. Ahmad Dahlan and its relevance to the global era of education in Indonesia,." AHSANA MEDIA: Journal of Islamic Thought, Education and Research, 8, no. 1, 86–99.
Sagala, S. (2018). Leadership Approaches and Models. Kencana Prenada Media Group.
Salam, J. (2009). K.H Ahmad Dahlan Amal dan Perjuangan. Al-Wasat Publishing House.
Saputri, N., & Ahmadi, P. A. P. S. (2025). Problems and Strategies of Islamic Leadership in Islamic Educational Institutions. 49–55.
Satria, R. R. (2019). Leadership in Islamic Education. Al-Fahim, I(2), 1–17.
Setiawan, I. (2018). "Islam and Nationalism: The Views of Islamic Education Reformers Ahmad Dahlan and Abdulwahab Khasbullah," Hayula: Indonesian Journal of Multidisciplinary Islamic Studies, 2, no. 1:1–16.
Setiawan, S. (2025). Ahmad Dahlan's Strategy in Modernizing Islamic Education Muhammadiyah.
Setyaningrum, P. N., Nida, S., Rahmawati, N. W., & Mandar, Y. (2025). Problems of Islamic Education Leadership in Ptkin: A Theoretical and Practical Perspective.
Shihab, F., Bachtiar, M., & Gunawan, A. (2023). K.H. Ahmad Dahlan's Leadership in Islamic Education. Journal of Education and Teaching Review, 6, 4502–4511.
Subandi, T. (2016). Penel Method. Qualitative. University of Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) Press.
Sudarmanto, E., Handiman, U. T., Silalahi, M., Akbari, E., Mathory, S., Sugiarto, M., Prasetyo, I., & Widarman, A. (2021). Contemporary Strategy Management. Our Writing Foundation.
Suminto. (2016). Transformative Leadership Character. Pedagogy: Scientific Journal of Education, 1–9.
Suparman, T. (2020). Curriculum and Learning. Sarnu Untung.
Syadzili, M. F. R. (2018). Leadership Model and Potential Development of Islamic Education Leaders. Scholars: Journal of Islamic Studies, Volume 4,.
Syukri, M., & Ismail, M. (2018). The Origin of the Muhammadiyah Education Movement in Indonesia. Journal of Engineering Technology, VI (1), 258-270.
Takunas, R. (2018). Islamic Education Thought KH . Imam Zarkasyi. Scolae: Journal of Pedagogy, 23.
Tamsiyati, E., Abidin, M., Harto, K., & Handayani, T. (2025). Leadership and Organization in Islamic Education.
Thohri, M. (2022). Islamic School Leadership Model: The Challenge in Digital Era. Al-Ishlah: Journal of Education, 14, no. 1.
Wahab, M. I., Humaidi, M. N., Maumere, U. M., Malang, U. M., Dan, I., Leadership, M., & Dahlan, A. (2024). Prophetic Leadership: The Urgency of Examining the Leadership of Kh Ahmad Dahlan in the 21st Century Era. 5, 56–74.
Yani, M. (2021). Basic Concepts of Leadership Characteristics in Islamic Education. AL-HIKMAH : Journal of Islamic Religious Education and Education, 3(2), 157–169. https://ejournal.uniks.ac.id/index.php/Alhikmah/article/view/1668
Zarkasyi, A. S. (2005). Islamic Boarding School Management, Gontor Modern Boarding School Experience. Trimurti Press.
