The distinction between transactional care—which expects return—and unconditional care, which serves as the antidote to favoritism's underlying mechanics.
Rabia famously rejected both hope for reward and fear of punishment, seeking only to love God purely. This concept applies directly to favoritism's root: it asks whether our care for others contains hidden bargains. Do we help the favored because we expect gratitude, loyalty, or advancement? Do we withhold from others because they can't reciprocate what we want? Favoritism is always transactional, even when unconscious. The parent who favors the compliant child; the boss who promotes the loyalist; the friend group that circles the charismatic member. Each transaction reinforces hierarchy and prevents genuine belonging. Pure devotion without bargain means caring for someone whether or not they return it, whether or not they advance your interests, whether or not they prove worthy by conventional measures. This is terrifying because it removes justification for preference. You can't explain why you invested more in one person if you can't point to their superior qualities or your superior return. Communities built on pure devotion shift radically. People contribute because it matters, not for position. Recognition goes to actual merit. Belonging becomes unconditional, which paradoxically creates deeper bonds than favoritism ever could.
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