Imam Musa Al-Kathem (peace be upon him) and Bishr Al-Hafi

You have probably heard of or read many stories about how people repent and return to their Lord, and how Allah in His mercy accepts their repentance and brings them close to Him. In what follows is an incident which happened during the era of Imam Musa Al-Kathem (peace be upon him)

The story of Imam Musa Al-Kathem with Bishr Al-Hafi is well known. One day the Imam (peace be upon him) was walking and when he came near a house he heard the sound of singing and religiously unlawful entertainment emerging from within.

Incidentally, a servant from the house came out to empty the trash , and the Imam (peace be upon him) asked her: “Does this house belong to a freeman or a slave?”

This was a strange question.

The servant said, “A freeman."

The Imam (peace be upon him) replied, “You have [said the truth]. If he were a slave he would have feared his Master!"

When the slave returned to the house, Bishr was sitting at the table which had alcohol on it. He asked her why she was late and she told him what the Imam (peace be upon him) had said. This greatly affected Bishr and he hurried after the Imam barefoot. He found the Imam (peace be upon him), cried, and repented!

This is why he is called Bishr Al-Hafi: Bishr the Barefoot.

From that moment onwards, he was Allah’s slave.