Is the "Basmalah" (reciting "Bismillah") required for Wudu (ablution) and Salah (prayer), and is it obligatory to say: "I intend to pray Dhuhr prayer, four rak'ahs" and for the remaining prayers?

First Answer: The majority of scholars hold that ablution (wudu') is valid even if the 'Basmala' (reciting "Bismillah") is omitted due to forgetfulness or intentionally. It is, however, recommended to say it at the beginning of the ablution or during it if one remembers. Imam Ahmad, on the other hand, believes it is obligatory at the beginning of ablution, and if it is intentionally omitted, the purification is invalid. Based on this, ablution is valid according to the consensus of the majority.

Second Answer: The Basmala was not recited before commencing prayer in the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Rather, he would begin the prayer with the Takbirat al-Ihram (the opening 'Allahu Akbar').