THE DIALECTICS OF TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION IN KITÂB TURÂTS LEARNING: A Case Study of Pondok Pesantren Bina Ulama, North Sumatra

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines how tradition and transformation intersect in the teaching of kitâb turâts (classical Islamic texts) at Pondok Pesantren Bina Ulama Kisaran, North Sumatra, from the perspective of Islamic educational history. Using a qualitative case-study design, data were gathered through document analysis, in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and focus group discussions. The findings show that the pesantren continues to employ halaqah and other classical pedagogical practices while adapting to national education policies, changing parental expectations, and technological developments. Institutional continuity is grounded in al-muhâfazhah ‘alâ al-qadîm al-shâlih, whereas transformation has been shaped by accreditation requirements, competition among pesantren, and the development of flagship programmes since 2012. The study conceptualises this process as “selective accommodation,” through which traditional educational practices are retained while new demands are incorporated. Alumni admission to public and state Islamic universities further illustrates how continuity and transformation can coexist without displacing institutional identity.Keywords: Dialectics, tradition, transformation, kitâb turâts, Bina Ulama