The word ‘Muslim’ functions as a cipher naming the exceptional limit case.

Evidence

Its particular status, invisible yet everywhere, may already make the word “Muslim” itself serve as a “cipher” for the exception, the limit case that governs where the spheres it “ties” over come together and fail to come together. — Gil Anidjar, The Jew, the Arab, 694

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces the governing concept of the chapter: ‘Muslim’ as cipher for the exception unifying theology and politics.