Is it obligatory to enter the mosque through Bab al-Salaam and exit through Bab al-Wadaa’?

Praise be to Allah.

It is not obligatory for the one who has bid farewell to exit through the gate mentioned, Bab al-Wadaa’; and it is not obligatory for the one who is coming to enter through Bab al-Salaam. 

And Allah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote. 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq al-‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qa’ood 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah,11/299 

See also question no. 34869