Abu Masud al-Badri reported: I was beating my slave with a whip when I heard a voice behind me: Understand, Abu Masud; but I did not recognise the voice due to intense anger. He (Abu Masud) reported: As he came near me (I found) that he was the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and he was saying: Bear in mind, Abu Masud; bear in mind, Abu Masud. He (Abu Masud) said: I threw the whip from my hand. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Bear in mind, Abu Masud; verily Allah has more dominance upon you than you have upon your slave. I (then) said: I would never beat my servant in future.