In The Burnout Society, philosopher Byung-Chul Han introduces a striking idea: the modern world is not primarily ruled by strict prohibitions and commands like it once was. Instead, it is driven by a constant stream of encouragement and possibility—an endless chant of “Yes, you can.” On the surface, this sounds empowering. Who wouldn’t want to live in a society where you are free to achieve anything? But Han argues that this very freedom conceals a silent form of oppression, what he calls “excess positivity”.
From “You May Not” to “You Must”
In the past, much of life operated under the authority of “No”:
“You may not do this.”
“This is forbidden.”
“Stay within the rules.”
This was the “Disciplinary Society” external forces controlled our behavior. Stress came from outside: bosses, laws, religious authorities, and social norms. Today, those external walls have been replaced by internal ones. We no longer hear “You may not,” but rather:
“You can do more.”
“You can be anything you want.”
“The only limit is you.”
This shift creates a new kind of pressure: “self-exploitation”. You become your own strictest boss. The constant drive to achieve more means that you never feel enough, no matter how much you do.
Why “Excess Positivity” is Dangerous
Han points out that in this environment:
– Rest feels like laziness.
– Leisure is turned into productivity.
– Hobbies become side hustles.
– Every achievement feels incomplete, because “more” is always possible. The modern worker, student, or creator is both the **slave and the master**driving themselves harder than any external system would. This is why so many today experience **burnout, anxiety, and depression** not because of oppression from above, but from the endless demands they place on themselves.
Real-Life Examples
– The freelancer who never stops working because “there’s always more to earn.”
– The athlete who trains through injury because “winners never quit.”
– The student who adds more extracurriculars to “stay ahead.”
– The content creator who feels guilty for taking a day off posting. In each case, the invisible command is the same: **Do more. Be more. Never stop. **
The Qur’anic Lens: Moderation and Rest
Islam recognizes the importance of striving for excellence (*ihsan*), but it also warns against overburdening oneself to the point of harm.
Allah says:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear.” *(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:286) *
This verse reminds us that there is a divinely set limit to what we are meant to carry. The modern ideology of “always more” often ignores this limit, leading to physical, mental, and spiritual collapse.
Similarly, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do (good) deeds according to your capacity, for Allah will not get tired (of giving reward) until you get tired, and the most beloved deeds to Allah are those done regularly, even if they are few.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
This hadith dismantles the illusion that constant, extreme performance is the only path to success. Instead, it teaches that sustainable, consistent effort—balanced with rest—is what truly matters.
The Antidote: Learning to Say “No”
Han suggests that to escape the burnout trap, we must:
– Reclaim the ability to say “No” to demands, to constant self-optimization, and even to our own perfectionism.
– Embrace “boredom and unmeasured time” as spaces for reflection and creativity.
– See worth not in endless productivity, but in living with purpose and balance. From an Islamic perspective, this means returning to the rhythm Allah has set for human life: work, worship, rest, and reflection, each in its proper measure.
Conclusion
Excess positivity hides under the cloak of freedom, but often becomes a whip made of optimism. The call to “always do more” sounds empowering, yet without limits, it drains the body, exhausts the mind, and erodes the soul. Han’s warning echoes an Islamic truth: true success is not in endless striving, but in balanced striving—where effort is paired with contentment, and ambition is guided by divine wisdom.
By Imam Hassan Ali Kasi