Have you ever seen a crab in a bucket? One crab almost made it out, but the others pulled it back down. The end? No one got out. They all stayed at the bottom.
This image is not just about sea animals, you know. Unfortunately, this also often happens in the real world, especially in cooperation and business relationships.
It’s called crab mentality. In simple terms: “If I can’t climb, you can’t either.”
It’s not always visible. Sometimes it’s just through a sarcastic tone of voice, silent comparisons, or pretending not to support. But the effect is felt. The cooperation that should be mutually encouraging, instead turns into mutually pulling down.
In fact, in Islam, we are taught to cleanse our hearts from envy and jealousy , because these two diseases can erode good deeds , and even damage relationships that were previously healthy.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
” إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْحَسَدَ، فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ “
“Avoid envy, because envy eats up good deeds just as fire eats up firewood.”
(HR. Abu Dawud )
And he ﷺ also reminded us of the importance of loving others, not being jealous of them:
” لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِه ِ”
“None of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.”
(HR. Bukhari and Muslim )
That means, if our brothers grow, we support them. If our business partners rise first, we encourage them. If our team shines, we are proud.
That is the spirit of muamalah in Islam: not only mutual profit, but also growing together in love and honesty .
Understanding the Crab Mentality of Hidden Envy
Crab mentality is a term used to describe a mindset in which a person feels annoyed when someone else is superior, and then tries, consciously or unconsciously, to bring them down.
This image comes from the behavior of crabs in a bucket: when one crab tries to climb out, the other crabs pull it back down. In the end, none of them make it out.
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In social psychology, Crab mentality is included in the pattern of ” destructive envy”, which is a form of envy in which someone not only wants what someone else has, but also wants that person to lose their advantages (Smith & Kim, 2007). This is different from ordinary envy , which only wants what someone else has without wanting them to fall.
In Islam, this condition is known as ḥasad ( الحسد ) , and it is not just a disease of the heart but a destroyer of good deeds.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
” إِيَّاكُمْ وَالْحَسَدَ، فَإِنَّ الْحَسَدَ يَأْكُلُ may Allah bless him and give him peace and blessings .”
“Avoid envy, because envy eats up good deeds just as fire eats up firewood.”
(HR. Abu Dawud )
This mentality can creep in slowly, especially in teamwork or business. For example, when one partner is better known, one party gets more attention, or one idea is praised first. Hearts start to get hot, cooperation turns into competition, and togetherness becomes strained.
In fact, Allah ﷻ said:
” وَلَا تَمُنُّوا تَسْتَكْثِر ُ”
“And do not give with the intention of getting more.”
(QS. Al-Muddatsir : 6)
That is, in every form of charity, including cooperation and investment, the intention should not only be to excel or be known. But to want the benefits to spread, the goodness to grow.
Therefore, crab mentality is not just about emotions or ordinary sensitivity. It can be a barrier to growth , a team breaker , and a blinder to blessings if left unchecked.
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When Crab Mentality creeps into the company
In Islam, the concept of syirkah or business cooperation is built on the foundation of amanah , mutual trust , and mutual assistance in goodness . But once the crab mentality creeps in, all of that can slowly collapse.
Why? Because once jealousy arises, sincerity slowly fades. Feelings start to emerge, “Why is he the one who is seen more?” or “Why is the profit sharing like that?” Even though previously everything had been agreed upon and lived together.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
” الْمُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِ كَالْبُنْيَانِ يَشُدُِ بَعْضًا “
“A believer to another believer is like a building, whose parts strengthen each other.”
(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim )
Crab mentality destroys the building from the inside. Instead of strengthening each other, the people inside start to feel competitive with each other. Not pushing each other, but suspicious of each other. Not focusing on a common goal, but busy watching other people’s steps so they don’t go faster.
Even though Allah ﷻ commands us:
” وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى ٰ”
“Please help yourself in goodness and piety.”
(QS. Al-Mā’idah : 2)
Crab mentality distances us from those values. It turns partnership into an arena for ego racing, not a field of blessings.
So, if we want cooperation that grows and lasts, we need not only capital but also a big heart: one who is happy when his brother is successful, and patient when his turn has not yet come.
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Khotimah: Throw Away the Bucket, Build a Ladder Together
Crab mentality may not be felt at first. But if left unchecked, it can become a major obstacle to growth.
What was initially a joint venture can fall apart just because of small things that are kept in the heart.
In Islam, cooperation is not just about mutual profit, but also growing in faith, brotherhood, and blessings . When one goes up, the other helps push. Not pull down.
Let’s get rid of that narrow bucket mentality. Build a ladder mentality that helps each other climb, and keeps each other from falling.
Because sustenance is not about who comes first, but who is the most patient, sincere, and keeps their intentions straight.
Also read: The Meaning of Tasamuh (Tolerance) Between Investors and Business Partners
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Reference
Al-Qur’an AL-Karim. Access Interpretation: https://tafsirweb.com
Abu Dawud. Sunan Abi Dawud . Access: https://hadits.id/hadits/abudawud/
Al-Bukhari & Muslim. Sahih Bukhari and Muslim . https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim
Smith, R.H., & Kim, S.H. (2007). Comprehensive Envy . Psychological Bulletin
