Extending Rabia's inclusive devotion by creating systems where newcomers and strangers are received with the same reverence as longtime members, continuously renewing community openness.
Islamic tradition, which shaped Rabia's context, emphasizes radical hospitality—welcoming the stranger as potentially divine messenger. Rabia exemplified this through her availability to anyone seeking spiritual conversation regardless of their status or belief. For intentional communities, radical hospitality means designing structures and attitudes that genuinely welcome newcomers and guests rather than unconsciously gatekeeping through insider language, implicit hierarchies, or assumptions about who belongs. This requires intentional effort: explicit orientation for newcomers, mentorship programs, accessibility of decision-making processes, and examining how old members might unconsciously exclude through subtle cues. Radical hospitality also guards against community insularity—the tendency of groups to become inward-focused and defensive. By continuously renewing openness to strangers, communities stay connected to larger humanity and prevent the spiritual stagnation that comes from exclusive focus on existing members. This concept acknowledges that the stranger embodies the constant possibility of renewal and that communities need regular infusion of outside perspectives to maintain vitality.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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