Hustle culture phenomenon in Islamic scales

In big cities, we witness a stronger trend: wake up in the morning before dawn, work until late at night, then the next day is repeated again. Expressions such as “hard work while young” or “sleep for weak people” become popular motto. This phenomenon is known as crowd cultureNamely work culture without stopping for the sake of pursuing achievement, money, and social status. Behind glamorous imaging, actually a lot of stories about mental fatigue, damaged bodies, to a messy family relationship.

In the perspective of Islam, we need to criticize this phenomenon. Islam has never refused hard work – actually motivates its people to be productive. However, Islam emphasizes the balance between worldly efforts and preparations for Ukhrawi. Working is not just pursuing wealth, but also part of the worship that must be carried out according to the portion and rules.

Crowd culture Giving birth to the assumption that human self -value is measured by how busy he works. Rest is seen as a weakness, even worship is often displaced by the target of work. Many people feel proud to say he only sleeps 3 hours for the office project. In fact, the human body has rights, as well as the soul and family. Rasulullah ﷺ said:

Because your Lord is completely above you, and for your soul to you, and your family is completely on you, so give all the rights to their rights

It means: “Indeed, Rabbimu has your rights, you have your rights, and your family has your rights. Then give it to all those who have their rights.” (HR Al-Bukhari)

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This hadith confirms that human life should not be lame. Ignoring the body’s rights by lack of sleep, abandoning the family because he is busy working, or forgetting God because of being chased by the target, all of that is a form of injustice in yourself. The Qur’an repeatedly reminded humans to balance the affairs of the world with the hereafter. Allah said:

And you are looking for the rest of God, the last house

It means: “And find what God gives you to the hereafter, and don’t forget the part of your world, and do good as God has done to you …” (QS Al-Qashash: 77)

This verse shows the principle of balance. Working hard to achieve halal sustenance is part of worship, but do not let the world ambition to remove the afterlife orientation. People who are busy pursuing a career but neglecting prayer, in essence he lost the main purpose of life.

Islam teaches its people to work hard, but in a proportional corridor. The Messenger of Allah (may peace) is an example of a hard worker: he trade from a young man, leads the community, even after the war. However, he still divides time for worship, family, and humans. This is in line with the words:

The best people will benefit them for others

It means: “The best human being is the most beneficial for humans.” (HR Ahmad)

Productive in Islam means providing tangible benefits, not just busy. That is, the quality of work is preferred than the quantity of working hours. People who work smart, measured, and provide benefits will be more noble than people who are just busy without direction.

Many of us are trapped in the thought that the more wealth, the higher the degree. In fact, Islam assesses that glory is not from material, but from piety. Allah said:

I will protect you from God, I will be afraid of you

It means: “Indeed, the most honorable among you before God is the most frightening.” (QS Al-Hujurat: 13)

This verse seems to turn the paradigm crowd culture. Ambition may be, but its size is not a worldly status, but the quality of piety. A Muslim works not just looking for a large salary, but to be able to provide halal, zakat, help others, and worship more spacious.

Crowd culture It might look cool, but in the long run it can be damaged. Islam teaches the balance of life: working seriously, rests sufficiently, worship solemnly, and protect the family. Life is not just pursuing world targets, but also preparing the afterlife.

In the midst of the pressure of modern times, Islamic teachings become a compass that guides us so as not to get caught up in extreme materialism. By organizing intention, maintaining proportions, and remembering God in every effort, we can be productive without losing the spirit of life. So, when other people are busy pursuing the world to forget everything, a Muslim remains calm: working for the world, but the heart is aimed at the afterlife.

Also Read: Work Life Balance Is Impossible, Really?

Author: M. Syukron Ni’am

Editor: Muh. Sutan