Talal Asad Quotes

Why is it that aggression in the name of God shocks secular liberal sensibilities, whereas the act of killing in the name of the secular nation, or of democracy, does not?

Language has multiple uses, and is embedded in different forms of life. It is not necessary to have this grand concept of "humanity" in order to behave decently.

To behave "humanely" it is perfectly possible to do without the notion of "humanity."

I do not criticize religion as such, but I criticize the concept and the definition of "religion" - as I said in Genealogies.

I think the approach to Islam as a tradition is helpful. Tradition helps us to focus on questions about authority and temporality, and about the language used in relation to the two.