Ahead of the NU Congress, Kiai Zulfa Mustofa encourages the revival of the tradition of writing books among Ulama

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the General Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), KH. Zulfa Mustofa, will launch and dissect his book entitled Ithafu Ummati Al Muqtafa on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 19.00 WIB, at the Sakinah Hall of Sunda Kelapa Mosque, Menteng, Central Jakarta.

The activity entitled Launching & Surgery of the Book Ithafu Ummati Al Muqtafa - A Presentation for the Ummah of the Prophet SAW is an important momentum to revive the intellectual tradition of ulama, especially the tradition of writing books in the Nahdlatul Ulama environment, pesantren, Islamic universities, and religious institutions.

The launch of the book took place ahead of the PBNU Congress, amid increasing public attention to the direction of leadership, the future of scholarship, and the strategic role of Nahdlatul Ulama in answering the challenges of the Indonesian Muslim community, nation, and civilization. KH Zulfa Mustofa invites scholars, kiai, academics, and pesantren circles to revive the tradition of writing books as part of efforts to maintain the continuity of knowledge and build the Islamic civilization.

According to him, since the early days of Islam until it developed in the archipelago, the progress of civilization was not only supported by the birth of scholars who were knowledgeable and virtuous, but also by the scientific works they left behind.

The books of the scholars become a bridge that connects cross-generational knowledge, even remaining alive hundreds of years after the author died.

"The tradition of ulama is a tradition of science. And the tradition of science will not be solid without the tradition of writing. That is why the previous ulama not only educate students, but also leave books as intellectual heritage for the people," said Kiai Zulfa.

Kiai Zulfa said that pesantren has been known as a center for the transmission of Islamic knowledge through the study of yellow books. However, he believes that pesantren also needs to continue to produce new works as a response to the development of time and the dynamics of people's lives.

According to him, the challenges faced by the community today are increasingly complex, ranging from technological developments, social changes, to national and humanitarian issues. All of this requires scientific answers that are born from scholars who understand tradition and are able to read reality.

"It is important and necessary for us to read, study, and study the books of the previous scholars. But the scholars also have a moral responsibility to produce works that can serve as a reference for future generations. That is where the relay of science continues," said Kiai Zulfa.

The launch of the book Ithafu Ummati Al Muqtafa is also a confirmation that the tradition of Nahdlatul Ulama's leadership should not stop at teaching and studying alone, but must continue to develop into a tradition of producing science, writing books, and strengthening Indonesian Islamic literacy.

He emphasized that writing a book is not merely an academic activity, but a part of preaching and service to the community. Through written works, knowledge can continue to be passed down, studied, developed, and reach the community far beyond space and time.

In Kiai Zulfa's view, history shows that great scholars are remembered not only for the breadth of their knowledge or the number of students they have, but also for the works they leave behind. Books are evidence of the authority of science as well as intellectual traces that continue to benefit across time.

"Lectures can move hearts in time. But books keep knowledge alive throughout time. Therefore, every scholar needs to have the spirit to leave works as part of the amal jariyah of science," he explained.

Kiai Zulfa hopes that the spirit of producing Islamic works will grow again in the Nahdlatul Ulama environment, both in boarding schools, universities, and bahtsul masail institutions. According to him, the tradition of reading must go hand in hand with the tradition of writing so that the treasure of Indonesian Islamic scholarship continues to grow and contribute to the world.

The idea also became the background for the birth of the book Ithafu Ummati Al Muqtafa. This book is expected to be part of the effort to enrich the treasure of Indonesian Islamic literature through works based on the chain of science, answering the challenges of the times, and still rooted in the tradition of pesantren ulama.

The launching and book surgery activities will present ulama, kiai, academics, students, community leaders, and Nahdliyin residents. The event will also be guided by Gus Miftah as a moderator.

This momentum is expected to be an open invitation for scholars, kiai, academics, and pesantren circles to strengthen the tradition of writing books as part of efforts to maintain the continuity of knowledge, enrich the Indonesian Islamic treasure, and build a civilization based on sanad, science, and service to the community.