Episode 10

KH Ahmad Dahlan — Founder of Muhammadiyah

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Kiai Haji Ahmad Dahlan (1868–1923) was born in Yogyakarta with the name Muhammad Darwis. Like many scholars of his time, he sought knowledge as far as Makkah and studied under great scholars, including Sheikh Ahmad Khatib al-Minangkabawi. In 1912 he founded Muhammadiyah, an Islamic organisation stressing the purification of teaching, modern education, and social welfare. Muhammadiyah became a pioneer in founding schools that combined religious and general knowledge, hospitals, orphanages, and various social institutions. Its spirit sprang from a deep reflection on Surah Al-Ma'un — that faith must bear the fruit of real care for orphans and the poor. KH Ahmad Dahlan's contribution changed the face of education and welfare for Indonesian Muslims. He is recognised as an Indonesian National Hero. Reflection: true faith drives real action. KH Ahmad Dahlan teaches that understanding a single surah of the Qur'an in earnest can give rise to a social movement that changes a nation. Sources & Notes: KH Ahmad Dahlan's career is officially documented — the founding of Muhammadiyah (1912), its network of schools, hospitals, and orphanages still operating today, and the National Hero title. The account of his persistence in repeatedly teaching Surah Al-Ma'un is recorded in various histories of Muhammadiyah.

Buya Hamka — Scholar, Man of Letters, and Author of Tafsir Al-Azhar