The Problem With Hustle Culture | Real Talk ft. Dr. Tesneem Alkiek

Is hustle culture toxic? Like so much else, it’s a confusing mix of good and bad. Ambition, hard work, and high aspirations are noble, but they need to be kept in perspective. When our goals for the dunya start to outweigh our efforts for the akhirah, or when we push ourselves so hard we burn out, it’s time to stop and ask: Why? In this episode of Real Talk, reflect with Dr. Tesneem Alkiek on why culture pushes us to work so hard and whether that’s really the best way forward.

What does Islam say about karma? In what ways do our past actions affect our present and future? Listen to this khutbah by Dr. Omar Suleiman to gain deeper insight on the connections between our actions and their consequences.

Is Islam defined by men? It’s a question many Muslim women wrestle with—but maybe it’s the wrong question to begin with. Women have played an indispensable role in shaping the Islamic tradition. From hadith transmitters and legal scholars to the teachers of imams, Muslim women were never sidelined by the religion itself—even if some voices have drowned them out. In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter reframe the conversation, reminding us that while the path forward may not always be easy, it’s always there.

Before Salahuddin could unite the Muslim world, earlier leaders had to address deep internal divisions. When radical groups like the Qarmatians stole the Black Stone and extremist factions terrorized scholars, visionaries like Nizam al-Mulk responded by building institutions—the Nizamiyya schools—that would educate the generation of scholars who would guide leaders like Nur al-Din and Salahuddin.Sign up for exclusive updates on this series: https://yqn.io/231b800:00 - The worst time in Islamic history?4:19 - Emergence of the Ismaili Empire9:40 - How the Qaramita stole the Black Stone from the Ka’bah11:30 - The founding of Cairo and spread of Ismailism13:36 - The arrival of the Seljuks and Nizam al-Mulk 17:47 - Imam al-Ghazali’s response to the Ismailis and philosophers21:57 - The Order of the Assassins25:47 - The attempt to assassinate Salahuddin (rh)   This episode draws on leading historical works about Salahuddin and the revival that reshaped the Muslim world. If you’d like to explore the era more deeply, we recommend:How the Generation of Salahuddin Appeared — Dr. Majid Irsan Al-KailaniThe Rare and Excellent History of Saladin — Ibn ShaddadSalahuddin al-Ayyubi — Dr. Ali Muhammad al-SallabiSaladin: The Triumph of the Sunni Revival — A.R. AzzamFor young readers: Saladin: Noble Prince of Islam — Diane Stanley

What does it mean when Allah “hits” you with a consequence? The Prophet ﷺ taught that when Allah wants good for a servant, He hastens the purification of their sins in this life. What does that mean for us today?

Marriage is weighed down by so many expectations. His rights, your rights, cultural norms, social pressure, mahr debates, Islamic rulings… how do you even begin the conversation without getting overwhelmed? In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter unpack the topic of marriage through examples from the Seerah, showing how Islam gives us breathing room to approach marriage with calm and clarity.

Marriage is weighed down by so many expectations. His rights, your rights, cultural norms, social pressure, mahr debates, Islamic rulings… how do you even begin the conversation without getting overwhelmed? In this episode, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter unpack the topic of marriage through examples from the Seerah, showing how Islam gives us breathing room to approach marriage with calm and clarity.

Dr. Omar Suleiman explores the second defining quality of Ibad ur-Rahman (Servants of the Most Merciful): those who embody forbearance (hilm) and composure when confronted by ignorance or provocation.“When the ignorant address them, they only respond with peace.” — Qur’an 25:63What does it mean to stay calm when you’re tested? How do we respond to rudeness, mockery, or anger without losing our dignity? Through stories of the Prophet ﷺ and the early believers, Dr. Omar Suleiman reveals that this verse is not about remaining silent in the face of oppression, but about rising above the foolish, refusing to be drawn into their heat, and maintaining moral strength when emotions run high.

What is the foundation of true unity? Is it shared heritage, culture, or even family ties? This lecture by Dr. Omar Suleiman highlights that genuine unity is rooted in piety and the collective striving for goodness.Learn why the most effective way to help an oppressor is to stop their oppression—and how this principle becomes the basis for working together in truth. This isn't just a discussion about community; it's a profound challenge to redefine your understanding of unity and solidarity.

Ten episodes, three days, and numb legs. In this bonus session, Dr. Tesneem Alkiek and host Qaanitah Hunter spill the secrets of filming Real Talk and discuss everything from first impressions to high school awkwardnes to maintaining trust in the timing of Allah. True to title, the two get very real. Sign up for email updates: https://yqn.io/dfebff