Transformative Prophetic Leadership in Islamic Higher Education Governance: An Epistemological Study

This study aims to analyze the epistemological foundations of Transformative Prophetic Leadership in the governance of Islamic Religious Higher Education Institutions (PTKI) in response to disruption and the dominance of Western management approaches that may overlook institutional spiritual values. Using a qualitative library research approach, the study applies epistemological analysis and critical hermeneutics to foundational literature on Islamic leadership. The findings reveal three main points. First, positions and power in PTKI governance should be reconstructed from elitist privilege (tasyrif) into a responsibility for institutional service (taklif). Second, Transformative Prophetic Leadership integrates prophetic characteristics with transformational leadership through Shiddiq (integrity), Amanah (accountability), Tabligh (transparent communication), and Fathonah (visionary intelligence). Third, this model promotes institutional agility toward global standards while maintaining ethical, spiritual, and communal welfare orientations. The study concludes that Transformative Prophetic Leadership offers an adaptive leadership formulation that enables PTKI to respond to contemporary challenges while preserving its Islamic identity and foundational values.