It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came while he had two slaves with him. From among them, he (peace be upon him) gave one to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and advised: "Do not beat him, for I have been forbidden from beating praying (Muslim) slaves, and since he has come to us, I have seen him performing prayer." And one slave was given to Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him), and he (peace be upon him) thus advised: "Accept my counsel of goodness regarding him." So he freed him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) inquired: "What did you do with that slave?" He replied: "You commanded me to accept your counsel of good treatment regarding him, so I set him free."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) arrived in Madinah Tayyibah, he had no servant with him. So Sayyiduna Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) took my hand and brought me to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah! Anas is a very intelligent and clever boy, so let him serve you. Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I served the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Madinah from his arrival until his passing, both at home and on journeys. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never said to me about any (inappropriate) action, "Why did you do this?" nor did he ever say about something I did not do, "Why did you not do this?"