The Veiling of True Sight

In Sufi tradition, which shaped Rabia's teachings, the veil (hijab) represents the barrier between ordinary perception and divine reality. Favoritism operates as a particular kind of veil—one that distorts our vision of others based on projection, familiarity, or social conditioning. When we favor certain people, we project our assumptions onto them rather than seeing them clearly. Conversely, those we dismiss remain hidden behind our indifference. Rabia's radical love cuts through these veils by insisting on the intrinsic worth of each soul. This concept helps us understand favoritism not merely as unfair treatment, but as a form of perceptual corruption that prevents genuine relationship. The cost extends beyond the disadvantaged person; it impoverishes the one who practices favoritism by limiting their capacity for authentic connection and undermining their spiritual development.