The Hidden Arrogance in Choosing Favorites

When we choose favorites—whether family members, colleagues, or community members—we implicitly claim the authority to rank human worth. Rabia's devotional path reveals this as spiritual arrogance: the assumption that our preferences reflect reality rather than our limited perception. In her tradition, only the Divine possesses complete knowledge of hearts and intentions. Favoritism in the workplace, family, or community perpetuates this illusion of our own discernment. The cost is profound: we build systems and cultures where inclusion depends on our whims rather than principle. We deny community members the security of knowing they belong equally. We create resentment and fracture the bonds we claim to value. Rabia's counter-teaching invites us to practice humility by releasing the burden of judgment, recognizing that genuine leadership means creating conditions where nobody experiences the pain of being deemed less worthy of our attention and care.