Asghar Ali Engineer Quotes

Religion helps you relate with the universe. Buddha was indifferent to the concept of god yet he gave us values.

Quran says do not abuse others' gods, they will abuse Allah. But most people do not believe in this... they feel their way is the only right one. This is to maintain religious hegemony.

I am not an individualist in the Western sense. Collectivism can become oppressive when it tries to dictate; the rights of the two should not clash.

People don't respond just because you are fighting for the truth. They take their interests into account.

To protect one's identity is a Constitutional right.

I believe the minorities need to have a strategy of survival because needless aggression when you cannot change the situation does not help. Wisdom is more important than saving some cultural symbol.

The individual cannot exist on his/her own and the collectivism should respect freedom of conscience. My struggle is about the freedom of thought.

Jihad is misused by fundamentalists. The Quranic meaning is not meant for war at all, in the sense of killing.

I am not taking away the historical legacy, but it should not become a burden.

Many people asked me to convert. I said my religious convictions remain. I am fighting the wrongs within my own community. And if I decide to convert I will lose the right to fight.

Physical wounds heal, but those on the soul are difficult to heal.

Real 'imaan' is faith in humanity, so those who deny goodness are kafirs.

History is full of instances of people who challenged the mighty forces of evil and they were not only fighting a lonely battle but were left alone to die.

Potency does not mean being unnecessarily aggressive; one has to be wise.

Times change and we should change and grow, and yet be proud of our legacy.

Weapons are less harmful than words.

Jihad is nothing but making efforts to realise goodness in life.