Qutaibah bin Sa‘eed (rahimahullah) reports the following:

I once came to the city of Baghdad with the sole intention of meeting Imaam Ahmed bin Hambal (rahimahullah). It then so happened that Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) came to me with Yahya bin Ma‘een (rahimahullah).

On meeting, we sat together and engaged in different ‘ilmi discussions. After some time, Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah) awoke from his place and came to sit in front of me with respect. He then requested, “Please dictate such-and-such Hadith to me.” After I dictated the Hadith to Imaam Ahmed (rahimahullah), he awoke and returned to his place where he again sat as normal. We then resumed our discussions.