Imam Malik bin Anas (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated this narration as marfu' (attributed to the Prophet).
(b) Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned it as marfu' in the narration of Harmalah, and Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated it in the Muwatta with (this) chain as mawquf (not attributed to the Prophet), and it does not mention ablution.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الطهارة / 147