Periagoge
Concept
1 min read

The Heart Without Preference

A state of loving all beings equally, transcending the human tendency to favor some over others, which Rabia exemplified through her undiscriminating divine love.

Rabia
Why It Matters

Rabia al-Adawiyya taught that true love dissolves distinctions between self and other, eliminating the roots of favoritism. Her radical devotion to God was inseparable from boundless compassion for all creation. When we examine favoritism through her lens, we see it as a fragmentation of the heart—a failure to recognize the divine spark in every person equally. This concept invites us to question which relationships receive our authentic presence and which receive only calculation. The cost of favoritism, in Rabia's worldview, is spiritual fragmentation: we become divided selves, offering genuine love selectively while withholding it strategically. Practicing "the heart without preference" means cultivating awareness of when we rank people's worth, then gently redirecting that energy toward integrated, unconditional regard. This doesn't mean erasing healthy boundaries; rather, it means loving across those boundaries without hierarchy.

Helpful guides
Rabia
Parenting & Community
Peri
Questions about The Heart Without Preference?

Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.

Ready to work on The Heart Without Preference?

Explore related journeys or tell Peri what you're working through.