Loving for Absence of Cause

Rabia famously prayed to love God without hope of reward or fear of punishment—love without cause or consequence. This principle applies directly to how we relate to people in communities. Favoritism typically depends on causes: similarity, gratitude, attractiveness, usefulness, or past kindness. By practicing love for the absence of cause—valuing people simply because they exist—we undermine favoritism's logical foundation. This is not sentiment but spiritual discipline. It means examining why we prefer certain community members and releasing those preferences as impediments to authentic belonging. The cost of favoritism becomes measurable: those we favor feel chosen for reasons beyond their humanity; those we neglect feel judged for lacking marketable qualities. Love without cause restores the radical equality that builds genuine community.