The property of matter that causes objects to attract or repel is electric charge.

Here's why:

* Like charges repel: Objects with the same type of charge (both positive or both negative) push away from each other.

* Opposite charges attract: Objects with different charges (one positive and one negative) pull towards each other.

This attraction and repulsion is due to the fundamental forces of the universe, specifically the electromagnetic force.

While gravity also causes attraction, it is much weaker than the electromagnetic force and acts only on objects with mass. Electric charge is a more fundamental property of matter that governs its interactions at the atomic and subatomic levels.