575 - I heard Abu Bakr ibn Abi Khaythama say: It was said to Yahya ibn Ma'in, while I was present: "Indeed, Ahmad ibn Hanbal says: Whoever says 'Abu Bakr, and 'Umar, and 'Uthman, and 'Ali,' I would not rebuke him." Yahya then said: "I was alone with Ahmad at the door of 'Affan, and I asked him: 'What do you say?' He replied: 'I say: Abu Bakr, and 'Umar, and 'Uthman; I do not say: 'Ali.'"
٥٧٥ - سَمِعْتُ أَبَا بَكْرِ بْنَ أَبِي خَيْثَمَةَ، يَقُولُ: قِيلَ لِيَحْيَى بْنِ مَعِينٍ وَأَنَا شَاهِدٌ: إِنَّ أَحْمَدَ بْنَ حَنْبَلٍ يَقُولُ: مَنْ قَالَ: أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَعُثْمَانُ وَعَلِيٌّ لَمْ أُعَنِّفْهُ، فَقَالَ يَحْيَى: خَلَوْتُ بِأَحْمَدَ عَلَى بَابِ عَفَّانَ فَسَأَلْتُهُ: مَا تَقُولُ؟ فَقَالَ: " أَقُولُ: أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرُ وَعُثْمَانُ، لَا أَقُولُ: عَلِيٌّ "
