It is narrated from Sayyiduna Iyas bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not beat the female servants of Allah." Thereupon Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah, since you forbade beating women, they have become bold towards their husbands. So he (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them permission, and the people beat them. Then many women, seventy women, came to the family of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), each one complaining about her husband. "And you will not find those (men) to be the best among you."
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب الألف / 781