Kaligrafi Melampaui Estetika: Kontribusi Pembelajaran Kaligrafi Arab Terstruktur terhadap Pengembangan Mahārah al-Kitābah di Pondok Pesantren

Abstrak

The teaching of Arabic calligraphy in Islamic boarding schools has thus far been primarily viewed as the study of Islamic calligraphy focused on aesthetic aspects, while its contribution to the development of maharah al-kitābah has rarely been empirically studied. This study aims to analyze how structured Arabic calligraphy instruction contributes to the development of Arabic writing skills among students at the Syaichona Moh. Cholil Bangkalan Girls’ Islamic Boarding School. The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using a case study design. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation, and were then analyzed using the Miles and Huberman model through data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results of the study indicate that Arabic calligraphy instruction not only improves the aesthetic quality of handwriting but also strengthens the foundational competencies of maharah al-kitābah, particularly in terms of the accuracy of letter formation according to established rules, the proportions of letter shapes, neatness, consistency of strokes, and fine motor control that supports fluency in writing. The research findings also indicate that learning effectiveness is influenced by the use of demonstration and drill methods, the intensity of practice, teacher competence, the availability of learning materials, and the students’ motivation to learn. In addition to improving writing skills, calligraphy instruction contributes to character development, fostering qualities such as patience, precision, discipline, and perseverance. This study confirms that Arabic calligraphy has pedagogical functions that go beyond the aesthetic dimension, allowing it to be positioned as an effective learning strategy for developing maharah al-kitābah in Islamic boarding schools.