The first view is the stronger one: touching women does not invalidate ablution at all. Muslims have always touched their wives, yet no one has ever reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, instructed Muslims to perform ablution because of this. Nor is it reported from the Companions during his lifetime that he performed ablution for this reason; nor has it ever been reported of him that he did so. Rather, the Sunan collections report:

“He would kiss one of his wives without performing ablution afterward.”

The authenticity of this hadith is disputed. There is, however, no disagreement that no report states that he performed ablution because of touching a woman.

Likewise, Muslims have differed over performing ablution after bleeding caused by venesection, cupping, wounds, or nosebleeds, and after “vomiting.” There are two well-known views on this. It has been reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, performed ablution because of these things, as did many of the Companions. Yet it has never been established that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made ablution obligatory because of them. Indeed, his Companions would go on military expeditions and pray without performing ablution on that account.

For this reason, a group of scholars held that ablution because of these things is recommended, not obligatory. They likewise held that ablution after “touching the penis” or “touching a woman with desire” is recommended, not obligatory. They also said that “ablution after laughing aloud” and “after eating food cooked by fire” is recommended, not obligatory. Whoever performs ablution has done well, and whoever does not incurs no blame. This is the strongest of the views.

The purpose here is not to discuss these issues, but to use them as examples.