I harshly criticise one of the big religions (5)
I believe the answer is:
islam
'one of the big religions' is the definition.
(Islam is a world religion)
'i harshly criticise' is the wordplay.
'harshly criticise' becomes 'slam' (to slam is to criticise or condemn).
'i'+'slam'='ISLAM'
(Other definitions for islam that I've seen before include "Religion based on Muhammad's teachings" , "Belief" , "Mohammed's religion" , "Creed" , "Monotheistic religion" .)