The Indonesian Law number 12 of 2012 on Higher Education asserts that Ma’had ‘Aly(the higher Islamic boarding school) is one of religious education institutions. This institution has not been well-known among educational researchers, not only because it is still new, but also it exists only in some Pesantrens (Islamic boarding school). The Ma’had Aly is usually operated traditionally, both in its institution and scientific structure. The institution is considered to have not adequate space to open dialogue related to the social change. However, there is an interesting phenomenon in the Ma’had Aly Salafiyyah Syafi’iyyah Situbondo, East Java that can become an exception of such assumption. Although, from its name the institution can be categorized as a traditional Islamic boarding school which is affiliated to as-Syafi’i’s school, however, it develops a progressive model of research on Islamic law. Through observation, in-depth interview and documentation to the institution, this research shows that the institution which focusing on fiqh (Islamic legal studies) has placed its position as a trend setter of researches on Islamic law in term of Pesantrens world. Its main ideas even may serve a reference in developing Islamic legal studies in the higher Islamic education, particularly Islamic law faculties in Indonesia.The model of Islamic legal studies that is developed in educational institutions such as the higher Islamic boarding school or the higher Islamic education will influence the trends of epistemology and practical thoughts of its alumni. The alumni, who will be the Kyai(Islamic priests) or Islamic experts, give religious services and implementing Islamic law in daily life. They become references for moslem society in understanding Islamic law related to their daily life (al-fiqh al-yaumy). They will also become the agents that influence the worldview of moslem society on Islamic law, and give enlightenments for them in implementing the Islamic law and make the Islamic law as the living law that will be an alternative of sub system contributing to develop the system of national law. In addition, inclusive paradigm in Islamic legal studies will produce inclusive generation. On the contrary, radical and intolerant paradigm that is developed by an educational institution of Islamic law will create intolerant generation. In this light this study will show its urgents.