Bishr ibn al-Ḥārith was a drunkard who spent his time indulging in Ḥarām. One day, he found a paper with the name of Allāh written on it. He picked it up with reverence, kissed it, perfumed it, and placed it in a high position. That night, as he went to sleep, it was said: "You perfumed My Name in this world, so I shall perfume your name in both worlds."
So intense was his absorption in contemplation of Allāh that he never put anything on his feet again. When asked why, he replied, "Allāh guided me when I was barefoot, and I will remain in this state until death."
From then onwards, he walked without shoes, and people started calling him Bishr al-Ḥāfī (The Barefooted One). He repented and embraced asceticism (Zuhd), and today he is remembered as one of the greatest ascetics to have ever lived.
Imām Bishr al-Ḥāfī was highly knowledgeable in both the fundamental and derived sciences. He possessed great stature and was the student of Imām Fuḍayl ibn 'Iyāḍ.
[Ibn Qudāmah al-Maqdisī in Kitāb at-Tawwābīn]