Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that I was riding a stubborn camel (and was hitting it), so the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Be gentle, gentleness adorns whatever it is found in, and when it is removed from something, it makes it unsightly."
Hadith Referenceالادب المفرد / كتاب الرفق / 469
Hadith Gradingالألبانی:صحيح
Hadith Takhrij«صحيح : أخرجه مسلم ، كتاب البر و الصلة و الأدب : 2594 و أبوداؤد : 2478 - انظر الصحيحة : 524»
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues: One should also treat animals with gentleness, in addition to humans, and should refrain from beating them without reason or causing them more pain than their strength allows. From this, it is understood that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to show good conduct not only towards humans but also towards animals.
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 469