Shama-il Tirmidhi Chapter 47, Hadith Number 6 (331).

‘Aayeshah Radiyallahu ‘Anha reports: “Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam did not hit anything with his mubaarak hands, besides the time when he made jihaad in the Path of Allah. He did not hit a servant nor a women (wife, slave girl etc.)”.

Commentary
Hudhud is included in the Path of Allah and also jihaad. By hitting, it is meant to hit in anger, this in general usage is called hitting. This is not against one hitting un-intentionally and playfully, as has been mentioned in some ahaadith.