The morning sun shines on the courtyard of the Akhwat Islamic Boarding School with its warm, hopeful touch. The morning air is filled with the sound of birds, bringing enthusiasm to welcome the start of a new semester, which marks the beginning of a long journey for the students. Today is not only about starting their studies, but also about making a sacred promise before the holy book and their teachers—a commitment to seek knowledge with sincerity in accordance with the Sunnah.
Amidst the crowd, the new students stand with shining eyes, looking emotionally towards the podium where the head of the boarding school, Ustadzah Hamidah, is ready to give a meaningful speech. Their faces are still innocent, but their hearts are filled with a strong determination to change, learn, and become better people.
Ustadzah Hamidah opened with a soft yet authoritative voice, "We gather today not only to learn, but to make a promise to ourselves and to the knowledge we will attain. The books we hold are witnesses to our intentions, and may every page we read become a light on our path."
Lina, a senior student and mentor to the new students, introduced each part of the boarding school and explained the rules of conduct that must be followed. She reminded them that studying at the boarding school was not just about taking notes and memorizing, but also about putting the knowledge they had gained into practice, maintaining good manners, and supporting one another.
The new students, including Aira and Zahra, greeted each of the teachers one by one, feeling nervous but enthusiastic. The smell of ink and old paper filled the classroom, as if reminding them that the knowledge they were learning was the legacy of previous scholars that must be preserved and continued.
The meeting moved on to a session of pledging allegiance in front of the holy book. One by one, they took an oath to commit themselves to seeking knowledge to the best of their ability, maintaining good manners, respecting their teachers, and building brotherhood with one another. These soft voices echoed strongly, reinforcing their togetherness.
However, amid the enthusiasm, there was a slight tension. Syarifah, a quiet student, felt a shadow of anxiety that she did not fully understand. The light horror story that had spread about the whispering voices in the library last night flashed through her mind. However, she remembered her teacher's advice: "Fear may come, but don't let it hinder your intention to learn and be kind."
The days passed with a dynamic and colorful array of activities: learning Arabic using the Sunnah method, practicing reading the Qur'an with proper tajwid, discussing practical fiqh, and engaging in light social activities to strengthen brotherhood. Every moment was filled with lessons not only from books, but also from real-life experiences.
The afternoon approached with communal prayers in the musalla that united hearts. Lina closed the day with a message that their promise was the first step towards true change, which required sincerity and consistency.
***
That morning, the sun began to show its warm rays seeping through the windows of the Akhwat Al-Hikmah Islamic boarding school for girls. The call to dawn prayer had just sounded, waking every resident to begin their day's activities. Lina slowly opened her eyes, smiling as she remembered her first day of study at the boarding school she had been looking forward to for so long.
The atmosphere at the boarding school felt different from before. This year, the number of students had increased, including several new faces that looked nervous and hopeful. The noise was a mixture of laughter, morning activities, and the light footsteps of people passing through the corridors. They were all adjusting to a new rhythm: waking up early, praying in congregation, studying the Quran, and participating in various sunnah programs taught by the ustadzah.
In the main classroom, Ustadzah Hamidah stood firmly but gently. She welcomed the new students with greetings and smiles. "Welcome to Al-Hikmah Islamic Boarding School, your second home. Here we learn more than just knowledge; we learn to be Muslim women with noble character, steadfast in the sunnah, and strong in faith," she said at the beginning of the meeting.
Lina, Aira, Zahra, and several other students sat neatly, full of enthusiasm. They listened carefully as the teacher explained the various rules and regulations of the boarding school, as well as the culture of friendship and responsibility. Although serious, the atmosphere remained cheerful with a few light jokes.
In the middle of the lesson, Lina felt a little nervous when she had to introduce herself in front of the class. However, with the support of her friends, she managed to step forward with more confidence. New friendships began to form, full of color and plans for the future that were ready to be woven together at the boarding school.
Night fell with a prayer together in the small prayer room, closing the first day full of emotion and new enthusiasm. In their hearts, Lina and her friends were grateful to have taken the first step in their long journey of seeking knowledge and practicing the sunnah at this colorful boarding school.
***
Morning greeted the akhwat boarding school with a series of distinctive sounds: the patter of footsteps enlivening the courtyard, the whisper of prayers gathering in the wudu room, and the small chatter of students who had just woken up from their sleep.
The sun had not yet fully risen when Lina woke the students with a soft voice, interspersed with motivational words that energized them. The small room was already bustling with activity: Alya rubbed her eyes and smiled, Zahra, who was always full of enthusiasm, began to tidy her headscarf in her usual style, while Syarifah carefully prepared her notebook and writing materials.
The first activity was dawn prayer in congregation at the small prayer room. The sound of Al-Fatihah recitation flowed, creating a soothing yet inspiring rhythm. Ustadzah Hamidah led the prayer solemnly while occasionally giving brief advice on the importance of consistency in worship as the foundation of life that would shape strong character.
After prayer, the students began their madrasa activities—religious classes in accordance with the Sunnah. Lina opened the lesson with a translation of hadiths about morals and manners, sparking a lively discussion among them: about how to apply patience when dealing with friends who have different opinions, to understanding the wisdom behind the obligation to wear the hijab.
In between, a new figure appeared who attracted attention: Rani, a new student from out of town, with a curious but enthusiastic face. She introduced herself briefly in class, immediately stealing the hearts of many friends with her friendly attitude and sincere smile. Rani brought a fresh color to the boarding school and quickly became the topic of conversation behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, Tariqah, who had been at the boarding school longer, took the initiative to help Rani adjust to the atmosphere and rules of the school. They walked together through the long corridor filled with calligraphy paintings, sharing stories about their dreams and struggles so far. Their friendship grew slowly—a sweet introduction to the social dynamics of the boarding school.
Recess arrived, and the atmosphere became lighter. The students gathered in the courtyard, enjoying dates, coffee, and hot tea. Zahra was adept at creating fresh jokes that relieved the tension of the first day. Meanwhile, Nisa, who was quiet but intelligent, sat in the corner reading a fiqh book, attracting the attention of several friends to join the discussion.
The afternoon is filled with practical lessons on sunnah: purification procedures, table manners, and group assignments to compile daily prayers. Lina and Ustadzah Hamidah go around giving instructions, ensuring that every student understands and feels the benefits of direct learning.
As maghrib approaches, the call to prayer echoes, signaling it is time to pray again. In the prayer room, the atmosphere of solemnity deepens. After that, the students recited prayers and evening dzikr together, boosting their energy and strengthening their spiritual bond. Evening activities included light discussions while enjoying simple snacks—a time often used to share experiences, hopes, and even light horror stories that have become boarding school legends.