STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING READING AND COMPREHENSION SKILLS OF KITAB KUNING USING THE AL-MIFTAH METHOD AT AL MUJAHIDIN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL, BANYUMAS

Abstract

This community service program aimed to enhance the skills of reading and understanding kitab kuning (classical Islamic texts) among students of Pondok Pesantren Al Mujahidin Banyumas through the implementation of the Al-Miftah Lil-‘Ulum Method. The program was conducted from October to December 2025 and involved 50 students using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, which positioned students and pesantren caretakers as active participants throughout all stages of the program. The mentoring process was carried out systematically through cycles of problem identification, action planning, implementation, observation, and reflection, with an intensive training session serving as the culmination of the activities. The mentoring strategy emphasized practical and applicative mastery of nahwu and sharaf rules through material presentations, group reading exercises, text analysis practices, and interactive dialogue. The results indicate a significant improvement in students’ competencies, as reflected by an increase in the average score from 58.4 in the pre-test to 81.6 in the post-test. In addition to cognitive improvements, the program also had positive affective impacts, including increased learning motivation, self-confidence, and active participation. Therefore, the Al-Miftah Lil-‘Ulum Method is proven to be effective and feasible as a model for developing kitab kuning reading and comprehension skills in Islamic boarding schools.