I was browsing through the fatwas related to acts of worship and I read about the intention in Wudhoo’ (ablution). Since I was young, I used to make my intention at the beginning of Wudhoo’ when I wash my hands. Recently, I knew that the intention for Wudhoo’ must be made when I wash the face, not the hands. Does this mean that all my past prayers are invalid? I was ignorant about the ruling and I started now to act accordingly. Please advise. Thank you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah , the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah  and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Your Wudhoo’ is valid and you are not required to do anything else. Nevertheless, the scholars of Fiqh stated that the intention has to be made before performing the first obligation of Wudhoo’ (washing the face). Al-Hajjawi, may Allaah  have mercy upon him, a Hanbali scholar, said: "It must be made before performing the first obligation of Wudhoo’." This means that it is not valid to delay making the intention for Wudhoo’ after performing the first obligation. In other words, if one performed any of the obligations of Wudhoo’ before making the intention, it is invalid and it has to be repeated.

This does not mean that Wudhoo’ is invalid when making the intention precedes performing the first obligation. Rather, some of the scholars stated that making the intention when washing the palms at the beginning of Wudhoo’ is recommended.  Al-Buhooti, may Allaah  have mercy upon him, a Hanbali scholar, said: "It is recommended to make the intention at the first recommended act in purification, such as washing the palms at the beginning of Wudhoo’."

This indicates that you misunderstood the words of the scholars of Fiqh.

Allaah  Knows best.