How to respond to those who say that the incident of Hatib was major hypocrisy, but his witnesses at Badr interceded for him?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, what is your view of those who say that the story of Hatib in the two Sahihs is a case of major hypocrisy, but his witnesses at Badr interceded for him?

Answer:
It is not permissible to speak ill of the Companions, and if some of them made a mistake and repented from it, it is still not permissible to speak ill of them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) excused Hatib. He excused him and accepted his excuse, and he was one of the companions of Badr. This is not hypocrisy. There is no hypocrisy in him (may Allah be pleased with him); rather, he did this out of his own independent legal reasoning. He thought it was permissible, he thought it was permissible. He interpreted the matter in a certain way, but he was mistaken, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) excused him. Is it not permissible to discuss this matter and spread it among people regarding a noble Companion? Yes.