Riyad as-Salihin, 1604

Abu Mas'ud Al-Badri (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

I was beating my slave with a whip when I heard a voice behind me which said: "Abu Mas'ud! Bear in mind..." I did not recognize the voice for the intense anger I was in. Abu Mas'ud added: As he came near me, I found that he was the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who was saying, "Abu Mas'ud! Bear in mind that Allah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave." Then I said: "I will never beat any slave in future." Another narration is: The whip dropped from my hand in awe of the Prophet (ﷺ). Still another narration is: I said: "He is free for the sake of Allah." He (ﷺ) said, "If you had not done this, you would have been singed by the Fire." [Muslim].

وعن أبي مسعود البدري رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ ‏"‏كنتُ أضرب غلامًا لي بالوسط، فسمعت صوتًا من خلفي‏:‏ ‏"‏اعلم أبا مسعود‏"‏ فلم أفهم الصوت من الغضب، فلما دنا مني إذا هو رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فإذا هو يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏اعلم أبا مسعود أن الله أقدرُ عليك منك على هذا الغلام‏"‏ فقلت‏:‏ لا أضرب مملوكًا بعده أبدًا‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏وفي رواية‏:‏ فسقط السوط من يدي من هيبته‏)‏‏)‏ ‏(‏‏(‏وفي رواية‏:‏ فقلت‏:‏ يارسول الله هو حر لوجه الله تعالى، فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏أما لو لم تفعل، للفحتك النار، أو لمستك النار‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم بهذه الروايات‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 17, Hadith 94

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadiths: 1) Setting a slave free as expiation for beating him is an aspect of the justice of the Shariah, as it imposes on the offender a procedure that is contrary to his purpose. 2) The Shariah encourages kind treatment to servants and slaves, repelling harm from them, and prohibits torturing or assaulting them. 3) The awe of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in the sight of his Companions, their keenness on complying with his words and actions, and benefiting themselves with his advice. Thus, it is incumbent upon Muslims to follow their example in tracing the Hadiths of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and acting upon them, as they are the way to guidance and salvation in the worldly life and the Hereafter.

Related hadiths5