وَعَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: كُنْتُ أَضْرِبُ غُلَامًا لِي، فَسَمِعْتُ مِنْ خَلْفِي صَوْتًا: «اعْلَمْ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ! لَلَّهُ أَقْدَرُ عَلَيْكَ مِنْكَ عَلَيْهِ». فَالْتَفَتُّ، فَإِذَا هُوَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ، فَقُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ! هُوَ حُرٌّ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ. فَقَالَ: «إِمَّا إِنَّكَ لَوْ لَمْ تَفْعَلْ لَلَفَحَتْكَ النَّارُ» أَوْ (قَالَ): «لَمَسَّتْكَ النَّارُ». (Reported by Muslim)
Translation: Abu Masʿud said that he was striking a person enslaved under his authority. He heard a voice behind him: “Know, Abu Masʿud, that Allah has greater power over you than you have over him.” Turning, he saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He immediately declared the man free for Allah's sake. The Prophet ﷺ gave a severe warning that, had he not done so, the Fire would have scorched or touched him.
The account contrasts human power with accountability before Allah. Being in charge of someone does not license humiliation or harm.