How does one respond to those who claim that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not declare the hypocrites disbelievers, nor kill them, nor seek their repentance, despite their open display of hypocrisy, citing verses such as: "They say, 'If we return to Medina, the more honorable [of us] will surely expel therefrom the more humble'," and His saying, the Almighty: "And [as for] those who took for themselves a mosque for harming [Islam] and disbelief and division among the believers," and his saying, peace and blessings be upon him: "Lest people say Muhammad kills his companions"? And is it true that Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Hazm stated that whoever says such a thing is an apostate disbeliever and is not excused by ignorance? And what should be said to a person who has fallen into this misconception?

Muslims should not delve into excommunicating others, as this is a dangerous slippery slope that creates division among people. As for the issue of the Prophet (peace be upon him) not killing some of the hypocrites who harmed him, scholars have clarified that this was a legitimate policy to prevent a greater tribulation and to preserve Islam in its early stages, when the religion was still weak. The ruling changed after Islam gained strength, and punishment became necessary for those who openly declared their disbelief.

Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pardon some offenses that pertained to his person. This was a waiver of his private right, and it does not mean waiving the right of the Ummah (Muslim community) to punish those who transgress against the sacred symbols of the religion after his death (peace be upon him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to differentiate between hidden offenses, where judgment is based solely on outward appearance, and public offenses that warrant punishment.

After Islam gained strength and circumstances changed, the pardon and forgiveness that were sometimes extended to hypocrites and disbelievers were abrogated. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was commanded to strive against them, be harsh with them, and enforce the hudud (prescribed punishments), this being after forgiveness had served to win over hearts and out of fear of people shying away from Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) had the right to forgive those who slandered him during his lifetime, but the Ummah does not have the right to forgive such acts after his death, for the Prophet's right to the Muslims does not cease with his death.