He (PBUH) dealt with hypocrites based on what they claimed outwardly

He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, dealt with them as Muslims and did not differentiate between them and other Muslims in the outwardly judg- ment and Islamic rulings.

Hypocrites are treated like Muslims unless they openly show some- thing that proves that they are disbelievers and hypocrites. If this is prov- en with clear evidence, then they would be treated as disbelievers and the penalty of apostasy would be applied to them.

Note: It is a clear mistake to allow every hypocrite and evil human to say or do whatever they wish under the pretext that the Prophet of Al- lah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not punish the hypocrites.                                                                              Those who adopt this opinion forget that the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not punish the hypocrites in his time because they concealed their hypocrisy and they did not say or do anything openly that could make him change the outward judgment (of them being Muslims). In fact, they used to deny any accusation and swear falsely that they were true believers.

 Meaning a cover to protect them against being killed. killed.