MANAGING BAHTSUL MASA’IL ACTIVITIES TO DEVELOP SANTRI’S CRITICAL THINKING AND FIQH ARGUMENTATION AT AINUL YAQIN CAMPUS PESANTREN, UNISMA

Abstract

This study examines how the management of bahtsul masa’il activities creates learning conditions that foster santri’s critical thinking, fiqh reasoning, problem-solving, and argumentation at Ainul Yaqin Campus Pesantren, Universitas Islam Malang. A qualitative single-case study design was employed. Data were generated through participant observation, in-depth interviews with supervisors, administrators, and active santri, and documentary analysis of activity records. Data were analysed through condensation, coding, matrix displays, and thematic interpretation; trustworthiness was strengthened through source and method triangulation, consistency checks, and researcher reflexivity. The findings show that the activity was managed through four interconnected functions: planning themes and references, organising roles, facilitating argumentative discussion, and conducting evaluation and follow-up. Together, these functions enabled santri to frame problems, consult authoritative texts, compare scholarly opinions, evaluate reasons, and articulate conclusions in an open forum. The reported changes were perceptual and context-bound, particularly a stronger disposition to ask questions, greater care in using textual evidence, increased confidence in argumentation, and an improved capacity to respond to divergent views. The findings are not presented as causal or statistically significant effects. The study proposes a mechanism-based framework linking the quality of activity management to intellectual learning opportunities within a campus-pesantren tradition.