Islamic History Does Not Rely on Written Records - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - At least four times a month, Muhammad Nuruddin regularly preaches at various mosques. On Saturday, July 18, 2026, for example, he delivered a dawn session at the Grand Mosque of Kebayoran Residence in Bintaro, South Tangerang, Banten. An alumnus of Al-Azhar University in Egypt, he also frequently discusses  Islam on social media. “I want to reach young people,” Nuruddin said.

Speaking to Tempo journalists Yosea Arga, Friski Riana, and Erwan Hermawan, as well as photographer Tony Hartawan, Nuruddin conveyed his criticism of the views of Mun’im Sirry. He said Islamic history was built on a verifiable chain of transmission and did not rely on written records.

During the roughly two-hour interview at the Aviari Hotel in Bintaro, Nuruddin acknowledged that he and Mun’im differed on many points. On the issue of conservatism and criticism of government policies, however, he said they shared the same position.

You often criticize the views of Mun’im Sirry, even writing extensively about them. Why?

I disagree with Mun’im Sirry on many aspects of the history of the emergence of religion. He often challenges foundational matters. We have to understand that every religion has a foundational identity. There are teachings that can be developed or that allow for new forms of ijtihad (independent reasoning). Religion gives us room for creativity. There are modern concepts of muamalah (social interaction), modern transactions. Banking, for example, did not exist in the Prophet’s time. Today it does.