Love Beyond Utility

Rabia's love was radical because it expected nothing in return—not virtue, not productivity, not advancement. This stands in sharp contrast to much community organizing where relationships become instrumentalized: people are valued for what they can contribute, how many they can bring, what skills they possess. Rabia's teaching invites organizing that loves people beyond their utility. This means investing in members who cannot currently contribute actively. It means celebrating people's inner growth even when it doesn't translate to tactical wins. It means allowing people to participate in ways that feel authentic to them rather than forcing particular roles. This practice prevents the common organizing pattern where people burn out because they feel reduced to their productivity. When communities practice love beyond utility, members experience genuine belonging. They stay engaged through difficult seasons because they know their value doesn't fluctuate with organizational need. This creates deeper stability and prevents the cyclical boom-bust patterns of many movements. Members develop loyalty to community itself, not merely to current campaigns or outcomes.