The Role of Kyai Leadership and The Sustainability of Islamic Boarding School: Integration of Traditional Values with a Modern Approach (Case Study at Daarul Rahman Islamic Boarding School, Jakarta)

Abstract

Islamic boarding schools, as the oldest Islamic educational institutions in Indonesia, now face the challenges of modernization, digitalization, and demands for more professional governance. In this context, the leadership role of Kyai (Islamic scholars) is a key factor in maintaining their sustainability, particularly in the combination model that integrates Salafiyah traditions with a modern educational system. This study aims to analyze how Kyai at the Daarul Rahman Islamic Boarding School in Jakarta instill traditional values, implement modern approaches, and integrate the two as a strategy for institutional sustainability. The research employed a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. Data were then analyzed through transcription, thematic coding, triangulation, and gap analysis between ideal leadership models and actual practices. The theories of prophetic leadership (shiddiq, amanah, tabligh, fathanah) and transformational leadership served as the primary foundations of the analysis. The research results show that Kyai play a role as a spiritual leader, managerial leader, and visionary leader. In the traditional aspect, Kyai successfully maintains the values of the Islamic boarding school through exemplary behavior, strengthening adab (ethics), teaching yellow books, and establishing a religious culture. In the modern aspect, Kyai encourages professionalization of management, strengthening human resources, integrating formal curricula, and utilizing technology in administration and learning. The integration of these two approaches creates an adaptive, visionary, and sustainability-oriented leadership model. However, the research also found several gaps, particularly in the distribution of authority, supervision systems, and utilization of technology, which still require strengthening. This research contributes to the development of Islamic education management studies, especially the Kyai leadership model based on prophetic-transformational values, and provides practical recommendations for Islamic boarding schools in managing transformation in the modern era.