Islamic Education in Modern Indonesia: Exploring Sheikh Mukhtar Muda Nasution’s Philosophy of Education

Abstract

This article discusses the role of Sheikh Mukhtar Muda Nasution, a charismatic scholar in the Nusantara region, in advancing Islamic educational institutions through the curriculum he implemented. This research employs a literature review model with a historical approach to analyze official data and scholarly publications related to Sheikh Mukhtar Muda Nasution. Content analysis techniques are applied to obtain an objective overview of his role and significance as a prominent figure in Islamic education in Padanglawas Regency. The data is analyzed using Talcott Parsons’ Structural-Functionalism theory. The article presents findings that the Islamic education curriculum according to Sheikh Mukhtar Muda Nasution was designed to expedite the achievement of educational goals. Based on his experiences and interactions with prominent figures in the Nusantara, the curriculum at Al-Mukhtariyah Islamic Boarding School includes theology (‘aqidah), Islamic law (shari‘ah), ethics (akhlaq), formal sciences, skills, arts, and local wisdom. This curriculum integrates theory and practice and is tailored to the community’s needs, enabling students to actively contribute to society. This approach reflects Talcott Parsons’ Structural-Functionalism theory, where education functions to maintain social stability by integrating religious values and strengthening social structures in line with contemporary demands and social needs.