Sufyan al Thawri: "There isn’t a single hadith of the Messenger of Allah that reached me excepted I acted upon it…"

In ‘Siyar A’lam an-Nubala” (7/184), Sufyan ath-Thawri said:

ما بلغنى عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم حديث قط إلا عملت به ولو مرة

“There isn’t a single hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that has reached me except that I acted upon it, even if only once.”

ِAnd in ‘as-Siyar’ (9/457), it’s mentioned that al-Imam Ahmad bin Hambal said:

ما كتبت عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حديث إلا وقد عملت به حتى مر بي في الحديث أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم احتجم وأعطى أبا طيبه ديناراً فأعطيت الحجام ديناراً حين احتجمت

“I never wrote down a hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) except that I acted upon it, to the point that I came across a report that the Prophet (peace be upon him) got cupped and gave Abu Taybah (his cupper) a dinar. So, I got cupped and gave the cupper a dinar.”

http://iskandrani.wordpress.com/2009/07/20/applying-what-you-know/

"And was this showing off, O Sufyan?"

“And was this showing off, O Sufyan?”

http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vbe/showthread.php?t=1367

One year, while Sufyan Ath-Thawri was performing pilgrimage in the company of Shaiban Ar-Ra’i, a lion appeared before their traveling party on the road they were traveling upon.

Sufyan said to Shaiban:

“Look how this lion is blocking the way and terrifying
the people.”

“Do not fear,” Shaiban said.

When the lion heard Shaiban’s words, it moved its tail, as a dog might do when it is showing how obedient it is to its master. After he approached the lion, Shaiban rubbed its tail gently; it made another meek, subservient gesture with its body and tail, after which it hurried into the distance, leaving the traveling party alone.

“What is this showing off,O Shaiban?” Sufyan asked.

“And was this showing off, O Sufyan?” Shaiban answered.

“Had I wanted to show off and gain fame, I would have
placed my provisions on its back for the journey, until
we reached Makkah!” [1]

[1] Sifatus-Safwah 4/307 and Bahrud-Dumu‘, page 131

[From the book 'Glimpses of the lives of Righteous People']

>"And was this showing off, O Sufyan?"

>“And was this showing off, O Sufyan?”

http://www.ahlalhdeeth.com/vbe/showthread.php?t=1367

One year, while Sufyan Ath-Thawri was performing pilgrimage in the company of Shaiban Ar-Ra’i, a lion appeared before their traveling party on the road they were traveling upon.

Sufyan said to Shaiban:

“Look how this lion is blocking the way and terrifying
the people.”

“Do not fear,” Shaiban said.

When the lion heard Shaiban’s words, it moved its tail, as a dog might do when it is showing how obedient it is to its master. After he approached the lion, Shaiban rubbed its tail gently; it made another meek, subservient gesture with its body and tail, after which it hurried into the distance, leaving the traveling party alone.

“What is this showing off,O Shaiban?” Sufyan asked.

“And was this showing off, O Sufyan?” Shaiban answered.

“Had I wanted to show off and gain fame, I would have
placed my provisions on its back for the journey, until
we reached Makkah!” [1]

[1] Sifatus-Safwah 4/307 and Bahrud-Dumu‘, page 131

[From the book 'Glimpses of the lives of Righteous People']