Is it disliked (makruh) to renew ablution inside the mosque?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of I'tikaf
Primary text
There are two established narrations regarding the dislikeability of renewing ablution inside the mosque. One view holds that it is not disliked. This is supported by the narration that someone who served the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated the Prophet (PBUH) used to perform ablution inside the mosque. Furthermore, Ibn 'Umar reported that the Prophet (PBUH) used to perform ablution in the Sacred Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) during his time, including men and women. The practice of performing ablution in the mosque is also attributed to Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and the Caliphs, as well as to Ibn 'Umar, Ibn 'Abbas, 'Ata', Tawus, and Ibn Jurayj.
Supporting text
The opposing view states that renewing ablution inside the mosque is disliked because one cannot avoid expectorating or blowing the nose within the mosque. Spitting in the mosque is a sin, and wetting a spot in the mosque prevents other worshippers from praying there. If one exits the mosque to perform ablution, and that ablution is merely a renewal (while already pure), the I'tikaf is invalidated because it constitutes an exit for a non-essential matter. However, if the exit is for ablution from a state of impurity (*hadath*), the I'tikaf is not invalidated because this necessity mandates leaving, whether it is close to prayer time or before, as one must have purification for prayer, and performing it earlier serves the general benefit of being in a state of purity, potentially for voluntary prayers.