Is saying "Bismillah" before prayer and ghusl considered an innovation (bid'ah)? Is it permissible to say "Bismillah" before wudu during ghusl? Is it obligatory to wash the feet immediately after wiping the ears to achieve al-muwalat (succession) in wudu during the recommended ghusl for Jumu'ah, or is it permissible to delay them?

In prayer, the Basmalah (recitation of “Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim” - In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) comes after the opening Takbir (Takbirat al-Ihram), the opening supplication (du'a al-istiftah), and seeking refuge with Allah (isti'adhah). There is no harm for someone who recites the Basmalah before the opening Takbir, as long as they do not believe it to be a Sunnah. However, one should not be persistent in doing so due to the absence of a legal proof.

As for the Tasmiyah (recitation of “Bismillah” - In the name of Allah), it is legislated before ghusl (ritual bath), wudu (ablution), and tayammum (dry ablution) according to the majority of scholars, whether the ghusl is obligatory or recommended, and whether the wudu is before the ghusl, during it, or after it.

The Sunan (recommended acts) of ghusl and wudu mention the Tasmiyah in both, and it is recommended even for a person in a state of major ritual impurity (junub). As for washing the feet in wudu before ghusl, there are two established situations in the Sunnah: washing them before ghusl, or delaying them until after pouring water over the head and body. This ruling also applies to the ghusl of Jumu'ah (Friday).