Various definitions of academic freedom have been put forward. For many people, this concept can have several meanings. Outside the university context there is some suspicion around the idea of academic freedom, which is seldom understood even by academics. Nevertheless, to promote the growth and dissemination of knowledge the concept of "academic freedom" needs to be broadened and widely embraced. The present study assessed the practice of academic freedom in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. The study used a quantitative descriptive research design and applied an evaluative survey to a sample of 154 participants randomly selected from a population of 256 faculty members. The data was generated through an online survey. The study findings showed that faculty members are uncertain about their academic rights and are confused about the extent to which a moderate form of academic freedom might serve their cause. This state of confusion can often impede the smooth running of university administration. Overall, the female members of faculty believe they have greater academic freedoms than their male counterparts. When compared with older staff members, the findings revealed that younger professors and instructors and those in lower ranks had a greater awareness of their academic rights. The results of this study have implications for higher educational institutions in Saudi Arabia.