Explanation of the statement of Sufyan.

The Shaykh : Now, Sufyan (may Allah have mercy on him) says, and I think this is Sufyan al-Thawri.
The reader: Ibn 'Uyaynah.

The Shaykh : Yes
The reader: Ibn 'Uyaynah.

The Shaykh : Ibn 'Uyaynah. It is the prevailing view that when Sufyan is mentioned in the context of jurisprudence and rulings, it refers to Sufyan al-Thawri, while in the context of asceticism, scrupulousness, and spiritual exhortations, it refers to Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah, because the latter leans more toward worship. Sufyan said: "There is no verse in the Qur'an harder for me than: 'You are upon nothing until you uphold the Torah and the Gospel and what Allah has sent down to you.'" The address here is to the Children of Israel: He (may Allah have mercy on him) says that what Allah addressed the Children of Israel with is an address to us as well. So it is as if he is saying, "Then we are upon nothing until we uphold the Book and the Sunnah, and what has been sent down to us." Upholding them is difficult. Who is able to uphold the Book and the Sunnah in every matter, in every prohibition, and in every report? Such that one acts upon every command, leaves off every prohibition, and believes every report with a belief free from doubt? This is among the most difficult things, and this is what upholding the revealed Book or the Sunnah brought by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) means. This is the meaning of upholding: complying with the rulings by acting upon what is commanded and leaving off what is prohibited, and believing the reports with a belief in which there is no doubt or uncertainty. This is severe, very severe, for a person.