How do I know if I haven't become extremist in my religiosity?

One of the most significant questions that may arise for anyone on the path of religiosity is how to maintain moderation and avoid falling into extremism. The religion of Islam is founded upon the principle of moderation and balance, a key tenet explicitly stated in numerous verses of the Holy Quran. Understanding this concept and applying it in daily life prevents deviations and excesses, bringing true peace to the individual. The first and most fundamental principle is what the Quran refers to as the 'middle nation' (Ummah Wasat). In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 143, Allah states: "And thus We have made you a justly balanced nation that you will be witnesses over the people and the Messenger will be a witness over you." This verse not only emphasizes the balanced position of the Islamic community but also indicates that Muslims should serve as a model of moderation for the world. Extremism, therefore, means deviating from this moderate path, whether through undue strictness upon oneself or others, excessive judgments, or neglecting various aspects of life. Someone who becomes extremist in their religiosity might face problems in their personal, social, and even spiritual relationship with God. For instance, they might focus solely on the outward appearances and minor details of religious rulings rather than their spirit and ultimate purpose, thereby missing their core wisdom. Another foundational principle of the Quran is ease and the negation of hardship in religion. Allah Almighty says in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185: "Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship." This verse explicitly states that the essence of Islam is based on ease and human well-being, not on distress and difficulty. If an individual feels that their religiosity has made life overly burdensome and hard, or if they act in ways that cause harm to themselves or others, this could be a sign of extremism. Proper religiosity should lead to tranquility, serenity, and an enhancement of life quality, not to anxiety, pressure, and isolation. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) consistently emphasized this principle and forbade any form of extremism. Extremism might lead an individual to deprive themselves of lawful pleasures, neglect their social relationships, or even violate the rights of family and community, under the false assumption that such actions bring them closer to God, whereas this approach is entirely contrary to Quranic teachings. The Holy Quran explicitly forbids 'ghuluw,' which means exaggeration or excess in religion. In Surah An-Nisa, verse 171, addressing the People of the Scripture, it states: "O People of the Scripture, do not exaggerate in your religion and do not say about Allah except the truth." Although this verse directly addresses the People of the Scripture, its lesson is universal, reminding all believers to avoid any form of excess in religious matters. 'Ghuluw' can manifest in various ways, such as elevating individuals beyond their true status, imposing undue strictness in matters of halal and haram, or introducing innovations (bid'ah) into the religion that are not fundamentally part of it. An individual who becomes extremist might view themselves as superior to others and engage in judging and excommunicating them, whereas such behaviors contradict the spirit of Islam, which emphasizes mercy and brotherhood. One of the most important ways to detect extremism is precisely this judgment and strictness towards others. If a person is constantly rebuking and condemning others and considers themselves the sole criterion of truth, they should reassess their approach to religiosity. Another sign of moderation in religiosity is kindness and mercy. Allah says in Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 107: "And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds." This verse demonstrates that the mission of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and, consequently, the religion of Islam, is based on universal mercy and kindness. If a person's religiosity leads them to violence, ill-temper, or indifference to the suffering of others, or if their love for God causes them to distance themselves from His creation, this can be a sign of extremism. True religiosity should soften one's heart, make them compassionate towards people and the environment, and foster a sense of empathy and peaceful coexistence. A moderately religious person is kind, tolerant, and a proponent of peace in their interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and even non-Muslims. They value human dignity and prefer peaceful, dialogue-based solutions for intellectual and cultural differences. In summary, to understand if you have become extremist in your religiosity, you should pay attention to several internal and external indicators. The first sign is a feeling of inner peace and tranquility. If your religiosity, instead of bringing peace, causes anxiety, excessive worries, or constant guilt, you might be on the path of extremism. The second sign is your ability to maintain balance across different aspects of life, including family responsibilities, social duties, work, and attention to physical and mental health. A moderate religious person does not neglect any of these dimensions and believes that each has its place in the cosmic order. The third sign is your attitude towards others. Do you look at people with mercy and love, or with blame and judgment? Do you tolerate differences or do you engage in excommunication? True religiosity broadens one's perspective and distances them from narrow-mindedness and undue fanaticism. The fourth sign is enjoying the lawful beauties and blessings of God. If, in the name of religiosity, you deprive yourself of all legitimate pleasures and beauties of life, this can also be a sign of extremism. Islam is a religion that affirms beauty, purity, and lawful enjoyment of divine blessings. Finally, always seek knowledge from reliable religious sources and avoid self-aggrandizement and claiming exclusive possession of the truth. Whenever you find these signs within yourself, know that you are treading the path of moderation and righteousness, and you will be safe from excess and negligence.