How did the Prophet (peace be upon him) treat his servants, and where does the example lie in his conduct and dealings with them?

The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, exemplified gentleness in its highest forms. He said, "Indeed, Allah loves gentleness in all matters," and "If Allah wills good for the people of a household, He introduces gentleness upon them." He was gentle with his servant Anas for ten years, never saying to him about something he did, "Why did you do that?" nor about something he did not do, "Why did you not do that?" And if one of his family members reproached him, he would say, "Leave him, leave him." Abu Dharr al-Ghifari commanded his servant to wear what he himself wore, because "your brethren are your servants whom Allah has placed under your hands. So whoever has his brother under his hand, let him feed him from what he eats and clothe him from what he wears, and do not burden them with what they cannot bear. If you burden them with what they cannot bear, then help them." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to someone who asked him, "How many times should I forgive a servant?": "Seventy times every day." This applies to both the enslaved servant and the free employee.