Criminalization of Heresy (Bid a); a Comparative Study in Islamic Jurisprudential Denominations

All of the Islamic religions believed that heresy or religious deviation is prohibited. In the works of Muslim scholars, particularly the Shi’ite scholars, one of the less studied topics is how to confront with heresy, especially enforcement of criminal penalties. Therefore this descriptive and analytical article deals with criminalization and determines the punishment of heresy according to jurisprudence and the opinion of Islamic scholars, and accordingly, it has concluded its legitimacy, while it has considered as necessary the non-violation of freedom of thought and expression