One evening, a knock echoed through the door of a famous tavern in Baghdad. The tavern owner, heavily intoxicated and stumbling barefoot, managed to open the door. Before him stood a dignified man dressed in simple attire. The tavern owner, irritated, spoke:
“Apologies, but all my employees have left. The tavern is closing for the night. Please come back tomorrow.”
Before the owner could shut the door, the stranger placed a hand on his shoulder and said:
“I need to speak with Bishr ibn al-Haris. I have an important message for him.”
The tavern owner, startled, replied:
“Speak! I am Bishr ibn al-Haris.”
The stranger looked him up and down in astonishment and asked:
“Are you truly Bishr ibn al-Haris?”
The owner, now visibly annoyed, retorted:
“Do you doubt it?”
The stranger stepped forward, kissed Bishr’s hands, and said:
“Listen, Bishr ibn al-Haris! The Creator of the heavens and the earth has sent me to deliver a message to His friend, Bishr ibn al-Haris. He says, ‘The honor you gave My name will be the same honor your name receives for all eternity.'”
Hearing this, memories flooded Bishr’s mind. He recalled a day when, as usual, he was walking in a drunken stupor and saw a piece of paper lying in the dirt. On it was written the name of “Allah.” Bishr respectfully picked up the paper, cleaned it, applied perfume, and placed it in a clean spot, saying:
“O Lord of the mighty Throne, this place is suitable for Bishr, not for You.”
This single act of reverence transformed Bishr ibn al-Haris into the revered “Bishr al-Haris” (Bishr the Barefoot). From the moment he received this divine message, Bishr remained barefoot for the rest of his life, in remembrance of the state he was in when the message came. Such was his devotion that even the animals avoided defiling the paths he walked, ensuring his feet remained clean.
Bishr al-Haris became renowned for his piety, and the great Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal once remarked:
“O people, the Allah whom Ahmad ibn Hanbal worships, Bishr al-Haris knows Him.”
This story reminds us to show utmost respect to the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and other sacred figures. If you ever see a piece of paper or any item bearing these holy names, ensure it is placed in a clean and respectful location.
