God’s People

Fear of God made the stick fall from his hand Abu Masud Ansari says that one day he became angry with his slave and began beating him with a stick. Just then he heard a voice from behind him “Abu Masud, realise ... ,” but, in his fury, he was unable to recognize the voice. When the speaker came nearer, he realized that it was the Prophet of God. “You should realize,” said the Prophet, “that God has more power over you than you have over this slave.” On hearing this, Abu Masud let the stick fall from his hand. “Never again will I beat a slave,” he vowed, “and seeking God’s good pleasure, I hereby give this slave his freedom.” “If you had not done this, you would have been touched by the flames of Hell,” said the Prophet. (MUSLIM, SAHIH)