Ahmad Baidhawi began his education at the Hollandsch Inlandsche School (HIS) Banyumas, equivalent to Elementary School. After that, he continued his studies at the Jalaan and Nglirep Islamic Boarding Schools in Kebumen, Central Java. Finally, Ahmad Baidhawi studied at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in Jombang, East Java.
While studying at various Islamic boarding schools, KH Ahmad Baidhawi Asro was known as a diligent student. Because of his diligence, Kiai Hasyim as the leader of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School often appointed Kiai Baidhawi as a substitute when he was absent. Not infrequently in certain problems, Kiai Hasyim consulted and asked for his consideration, even though at that time KH Ahmad Baidhawi was still a santri. In fact, Kiai Hasyim sent Baidhowi to the Holy Land to perform the hajj pilgrimage and study at Al-Azhar Cairo.
After returning from Egypt, Baidhawi married the third daughter of the founder of Pondok Tebuireng, Aisyah. From this marriage, Kiai Baidhawi was blessed with 6 sons and daughters, namely Muhammad, Ahmad Hamid, Mahmud, Ruqayyah (wife of KH Yusuf Masyhar MQ), Mahmad, and Kholid.
However, his wife died after giving birth to her sixth child. He then remarried Bari’ah, daughter of Kiai Anwar Alwi Pacul Gowang. From this marriage, Kiai Ahmad Baidhawi was blessed with a daughter named Muniroh.
Not long after, Baidhowi then remarried Kyai Hasyim’s niece from his younger brother Kyai Hasan, Nadhifah. From this marriage, Ahmad Baidhawi was blessed with 5 children, namely: Muthohar, Hafsoh, Munawar, Munawir, and Fatimah. One of Baidhawi’s quite famous grandchildren is KH Saifuddin Zuhri, former Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia for the period 1961-1967.
KH Baidhawi’s Role in Islamic Boarding Schools
Kiai Ahmad Baidhawi is also known as the caretaker of the Islamic boarding school owned by the family of the 4th President of Indonesia, KH Abdurrahman Wahid alias Gus Dur. Apart from being known as a great kiai, Kiai Baidhawi also has an important role in the history of the development of most Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia, especially the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School.
One of his important roles is introducing and implementing the classical system (madrasah) at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School. As is known, since its inception, most Islamic boarding schools have used the traditional teaching system, namely sorogan and bandongan. However, since 1919 after the implementation of a new system (classical) carried out by Kiai Baidhawi for the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, other Islamic boarding schools have flocked to implement the same system later.
Starting a Revolution in Islamic Boarding Schools
Although he had introduced the classical system at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, Kiai Baidhawi apparently did not change the curriculum content in it. The teaching materials were still limited to classical books (the addition of general material was only carried out by the caretaker of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School in 1935, Kiai Wahid Hasyim).
The addition of curriculum content was carried out after KH Hasyim Asy’ari as the founder saw Baidhawi teaching students with a blackboard. His right hand was holding chalk and writing Arabic letters, and his left hand was also holding chalk by writing Latin letters (at that time it was rare for students to be able to write Latin). Since then, Tebuireng was allowed to hold a madrasah system, which was later named Madrasah Salafiyah Syafiiyah, with levels starting from sifir awal to qism as-sadits (sixth grade).
Leadership of KH Baidhawi
After serving for quite a long time, in 1951 Kiai Baidhawi was appointed as the caretaker of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School. Interestingly, Kiai Baidhawi was the only leader of the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School who did not have a direct lineage from the founder. It is worth noting that during his service in Tebuireng, Kiai Baidhawi was never active in practical politics. The only strategic position he ever held was as a member of the PBNU Syuriah Council.
Death of KH Baidhawi
Kiai Ahmad Baidhawi Asro died on Friday in 1955. He had a fever that continued to rise until he finally died. Kiai Baidhawi’s body was buried in the Tebuireng family cemetery area. On his tombstone is written the number 8.