Right of Criticism from the Viewpoint of the Quran and the Sunnah

“Criticism” as a major manifestation of freedom of speech is a good criterion for the evaluation of the degree of democracy of political systems. In Islamic system which requires public consent at two stages of creation and continuation, “criticism of the rulers” or “criticism of their behaviors” is considered as the right or, somehow, the responsibility of the citizens. Such a right and responsibility which are understood from religious teachings may be applied by the people independently or in the form of NGOs and political parties or political organization and the Islamic system is obliged to ensure the application and the fulfillment of the right by the citizens. Studying the meaning and the concept of criticism and its difference with the concepts like blaming, freedom of speech, and objection, the present article takes use of the verses of the Holy Quran and the words and practices of the Infallible Imams to explains the position and the principles of this right and makes the hypothesis that the critic has immunity in the Islamic system and even if he exceeds the limits of criticism, the government should waive its right in favor of public right.