ما الفرق بين الورع والتشدد؟

Piety (wira') is abandoning what is permissible for fear of falling into what is impermissible, and avoiding doubtful matters out of fear of falling into prohibitions. As for extremism (tashaddud), it is prohibiting what is lawful or abandoning it as an act of worship, or worshipping through something that is not an act of worship. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, disapproved of those who forbade lawful things upon themselves, and commanded Abu Isra'il to complete his fast and abandon his vows of standing (in prayer) and silence, as they were without benefit. However, abandoning some permissible things for the purpose of self-discipline and curbing desires is not extremism; rather, it is a form of self-treatment.