“Imagine,” KH. Thaha Ma’ruf mused one day, “a small prayer house in Jakarta.” This simple wish sparked the story of the Musholla Al-Ma’ruf.
KH. Thaha Ma’ruf was a prominent figure in Nahdlatul Ulama in the 1950s. He was a respected cleric and even served in parliament. He dreamed of establishing a musholla. Sadly, he passed away before realizing this dream.
Before his death, KH. Thaha Ma’ruf conveyed his wish to his wife, Hj. Sariani Thaha Ma’ruf. After his passing, she and their eight children sought a suitable location. They eventually found it in Cibubur, a small village on Jakarta’s outskirts.
Cibubur was mostly swampland and rubber plantations back then. Hj. Sariani consulted with local community leaders about buying land for a musholla. Initially, the community was hesitant. They worried the musholla might be misused for gambling and drinking. Instead, they suggested building a madrasah. This would provide religious education.
Hj. Sariani accepted their advice and established a madrasah with just two classrooms. Over time, interest in religious studies grew. Hj. Sariani was also a renowned preacher. Besides the madrasah, she started a preaching course. Her missionary work extended to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam.
From this small madrasah and preaching course grew the Yayasan Al-Ma’ruf. It became a center for Islamic education. Al-Ma’ruf inspired the development of other Islamic schools in Jakarta.
Hj. Sariani later dedicated Al-Ma’ruf entirely to the Muslim community. The Yayasan Al-Ma’ruf became its caretaker. Al-Ma’ruf was not to be inherited by family. Instead, its mission and sacrifices should continue.
Besides its educational activities, Al-Ma’ruf became a gathering place for NU scholars. KH. Thaha Ma’ruf had been a pioneer in establishing NU in West Sumatra. Hj. Sariani Thaha Ma’ruf served on the Syuro Council of the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board in Jakarta. KH. Abdurrahman Wahid even visited Al-Ma’ruf several times to give sermons. He came both as Chairman of PBNU and as President of Indonesia.
So, as you stand here, remember the humble beginnings of the Musholla Al-Ma’ruf. It grew from a dream into a vital center for faith and learning. It embodies the dedication of one family and the power of community spirit.