Pesantren leader calls for importance of spiritual development

Tuban, NU Online
Pesantren as a center for the development of spirituality has already proven capable of producing pious individuals who are committed to devoting themselves to the lives of the wider community.

"Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) have proven capable of producing pious individuals. This piety arises from the spiritual depths of kiai (pesantren leaders) who are able to arouse the soul and spirituality of the santri," KH Ubaidillah Faqih told NU Online at the Complex of Pesantren Langitan Widang Tuban recently.

According to the eldest son of the late KH Abdullah Faqih, the spirituality development of santri could be carried out through such methods as learning, practice, service and dedication to the life of the wider community.

Kiai Ubaidillah also called for the importance of pesantren circles and the wider community to train their spiritual intelligence by practicing through sincerity and self-servitude to God.

"Actually, through sincerity and self-devotion to God, one's spirituality can be increased," he said, adding that those littered fully with both of them would always get motivated and be patient in the face of life's struggle," he said.

"In addition, the development of spirituality can also be done through self-discipline to always wake up in the middle of the night to perform such methods as tahajjud prayers, prayer chain, reading the Qur'an and zikir."

According to Kiai Ubaidillah, other important factors in dealing with spiritual development are love and affection for others regardless of one's background.

"Love and compassion become instruments to build humanitarian brotherhood," he added. (Masdar)