Is performing Wudu inside a mosque permissible?
Chapter on the Obligation of Purification
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
It is permissible to perform Wudu inside a mosque provided that one does not cause annoyance to anyone through the act of washing, and provided that one does not wet the place of prayer. Ibn al-Mundhir reported that all the scholars of the major centers whom he knew, including Ibn Umar, Ibn Abbas, Atta, Tawus, Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Jurayj, and the general body of scholars, permitted this, and this is the position held. If the water wets a place through which people pass, it is disliked unless the area is immediately restored by replacing the scattered gravel, as was done for Atta and Tawus.
Supporting text
Ahmad is reported to dislike wetting the place of prayer as a protective measure for the mosque against spittle, mucus, and water droplets resulting from ablution. This view is held by Umar, Ali, Al-Hasan, Al-Nakha'i, Al-Zuhri, Qatadah, Al-Shafi'i, and the People of Opinion (Ashab al-Ra'y).