Open Refutation of Rulers Opens the Doors of Evil

When the fitnah (trial/tribulation) occurred during the era of 'Uthman, some people asked Usamah ibn Zaid, may Allah be pleased with him, : "Will you not make inkar (refute) upon 'Uthman?" So he replied: "Do I refute him in front of people? No. I supplicate for him and I make inkar upon him and speak to him privately. And I shall not open a door of evil for people." When they opened (the doors of) evil during the time of 'Uthman and refuted him openly, it resulted in turmoil, fighting/killing, and corruption which people continue to see the effects of until today. So much so that the conflict between 'Ali and Mu'aawiyah occurred, until Uthmaan was killed, Ali was killed as a consequence of that (open refutations), and a large number of the Companions, as well as others were killed. (All of this) due to refuting (the ruler) openly and mentioning (his) mistakes publicly until people hated their rulers and eventually fought them.