Full Idea
You can't include in your concept of causation a clause stipulating that the cause occurred earlier than the effect, because that would rule out backward causation by definition.
Gist of Idea
If the concept of a cause says it precedes its effect, that rules out backward causation by definition
Source
E.J. Lowe (A Survey of Metaphysics [2002], p.176)
Book Reference
Lowe,E.J.: 'A Survey of Metaphysics' [OUP 2002], p.176
A Reaction
It may, though, be the case that backward causes can't occur, and time is essential to causes. The problem is our inability to know this for sure.