Daraqutni

Raja bin Marji narrates: Once we gathered in the Mosque of Khayf, among whom were Ahmad bin Hanbal, Ali bin Madini, and Yahya bin Ma'in. A discussion arose among them regarding touching the private part. Yahya said: "Ablution should be performed after it." Ali bin Madini expressed his opinion according to the view of the people of Kufa and followed their opinion. Yahya bin Ma'in, in support of his stance, narrated the report of Busrah bint Safwan (may Allah be pleased with her), while Ali bin Madini, in support of his stance, narrated the report of Qais bin Talq. They said to Yahya: "How can you follow the chain of Busrah, when Marwan (who was the governor of Madinah) had sent a soldier, until that soldier brought the answer from that woman to Marwan?" So Yahya said: "Most people have criticized Qais bin Talq and have not considered his narration authentic." Then Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said: "What you both have stated, the matter is as such." Yahya Mahdi, on the authority of Imam Malik, on the authority of Nafi', narrated regarding Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Ablution is not necessary after this; it is a part of your body." So Yahya inquired: "Who has narrated this?" They replied: "Sufyan, on the authority of Abu Qais, on the authority of Huzail, on the authority of Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), has narrated this." So whenever there is a difference of opinion between Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) and Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them), Abdullah bin Mas'ud is more deserving that his opinion be followed. So Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said to them: "It is so." But the narration of Abu Qais cannot be presented as evidence. So they said: "Abu Nu'aim, on the authority of Ma'mar, on the authority of Umair, has narrated this statement of Ammar bin Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him)." He said: "I do not care whether I touch it (the private part) or I touch my nose." So Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said: "Ammar bin Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him) and Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) are of the same rank, so whoever wishes may adopt the opinion of one, and whoever wishes may adopt the opinion of the other."