Qur’anic Polemics and Reformist Exegesis in Mun’im Sirry’s Thought: A Critical Descriptive-Analytical Study

Abstract

This article examines Mun’im Sirry’s thought in Polemik Kitab Suci by analyzing the substance of Qur’anic polemics, Sirry’s intellectual background, and critical responses to the methodological construction of his ideas. This study employs library research using descriptive-analytical and intertextual approaches. The primary source is Polemik Kitab Suci, while secondary sources include Sirry’s other works and relevant academic literature on Qur’anic interpretation, reformist Islam, and interreligious relations. The findings show that Sirry situates Qur’anic polemics against other religions within four main issues: exclusive salvation theology, the Qur’an’s accusation of the falsification of Jewish and Christian scriptures, the Qur’an’s rejection of the Trinity, and Muslim relations with followers of other religions. Sirry’s thought contributes to developing a more historical, critical, and dialogical reading of polemical Qur’anic verses. However, this study identifies several methodological limitations, particularly the lack of detailed discussion of asbāb al-nuzūl, the insufficient explanation for selecting six reformist commentaries, and the limited theoretical framework in thematic interpretation. Therefore, Sirry’s thought is significant for contemporary Qur’anic studies, but it still requires stronger methodological grounding.