When in Damascus, Abu Darda RA was passing by a group of people gathered around a man, beating him and insulting him. He went to them and asked what it was all about. They said the man had committed an enormous sin.

Adu Darda RA replied,
If he had fallen in a pit, wouldn’t you have taken him out?

“Yes” they all replied. Abu Darda RA then said,

"Don’t insult him and don’t beat him; it would be better for you to advise him and make him see the consequences of his actions, then thank Allah Who kept you from committing the same sin."

Taken from the Sahabah Series by Noura Durkee