Gender, Authority, and Islamic Education: Bu Nyai’s Role in Shaping Feminist Thought in Indonesian Pesantren

Abstract

The role of Bu Nyai in Indonesian pesantren signifies an important but insufficiently examined aspect of Islamic education and gender dynamics. Historically positioned within male-dominated religious institutions, Bu Nyai have redefined their roles via faith-based leadership that combines theological inquiry with social activity. This paper investigates how Bu Nyai express Islamic feminism as a theological and practical response to patriarchal norms in pesantren, highlighting the reconfiguration of gender relations within an Islamic context.  The research utilised a qualitative descriptive methodology and was carried out at Pesantren Nurul Qarnain in Jember. Data were gathered by field observations, comprehensive interviews with Bu Nyai and students, and textual examination of traditional Islamic literature (kitab kuning). The research utilises an interpretive framework that integrates feminist hermeneutics and socio-religious analysis to elucidate how Bu Nyai reinterprets gender justice in Islamic educational contexts. The findings indicate that Bu Nyai’s leadership converts pesantren into inclusive environments where gender equality is grounded in Qur’anic principles such as musawamah (equality), ‘adalah (justice), and tawazun (balance). Their educational power and ethical impact contest conventional gender hierarchies while maintaining adherence to Islamic faith. Despite enduring cultural obstacles, Bu Nyai exhibit pious agency—a confluence of devotion, intelligence, and social responsibility—that transforms the moral framework of Muslim societies. This study indicates that Bu Nyai’s involvement in Islamic feminism exemplifies a localised and theologically rooted approach of gender transformation, stating that Islam inherently offers the moral and epistemological foundation for justice and equality.