SOSIOLOGI SANTRI TAHFIZ DI PESANTREN URBAN : PRESTISE RELIGIUS, TEKANAN SOSIAL, DAN DUKUNGAN TEMAN SEBAYA

Abstract

This article examines the phenomenon of Quran-memorizing students (tahfiz) in urban Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), highlighting the dynamics of religious prestige, social pressure, and peer support. The objective of this study is to explain the empirical practices, the emerging social relationships, and the implications for Islamic education based on a case study at Pondok Pesantren Ath-Thohiriyyah Purwokerto. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were gathered through observation, in-depth interviews with administrators, students, parents, and peers, as well as institutional documentation. The findings indicate that tahfiz students at Pondok Pesantren Ath-Thohiriyyah gain extraordinary recognition from teachers, family, and the surrounding community, creating a sense of religious prestige. However, the rigid memorization targets and dual roles as university or high school students trigger significant psychological distress, especially when students fall behind or experience burnout in dealing with difficult verses. On the other hand, peer support manifested in mutual tolerance and quiet spaces acts as an emotional buffer to restore motivation. This study contributes to the sociology of Islamic education by demonstrating that tahfiz students in urban environments navigate an ambivalence between spiritual honor and performative societal expectations.