Is it a recommended practice (sunnah) to follow a custom for which a person is rewarded, such as walking barefoot in emulation of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Question:
He asks: Is it a recommended practice (sunnah) to follow a custom for which a person is rewarded, such as intending to emulate the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and walking barefoot?

Answer:
Emulating the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is recommended, but walking on one’s feet is among the permissible matters; it is not among the prescribed matters, but rather among the permissible ones. If you are harmed by a thorn or a pebble, it is not permissible for you to do this, as you would be harming yourself. However, if there is no harm, it is permissible for you to walk barefoot so that you do not become accustomed to softness and instead accustom yourself to roughness. This is from the category of training the body. Yes. He says: From the category of training the body and exercise. Yes.