Mishkat al-Masabih #3472

‘Umar b. al-Khattab told that a man called ‘Abdallah whose laqab was Ass used to make the Prophet laugh. The Prophet had beaten him because of wine-drinking, but when he was brought to him one day and he gave orders and had him beaten, and then one of those present said, “O God, curse him. How often he is brought!” he said, “Do not curse to him. I swear by God that for all I know he loves God and His messenger." Bukhari transmitted it.