Is intention (Niyyah) required for washing the hands?
Chapter on Siwak and the Sunnah of Wudu
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Intention is required for washing the hands according to one ruling because it is an act of worship (Tabbudiyyah), similar to Wudu (ablution) and Ghusl (ritual bath). This view holds that the required action necessitates the prerequisite of intention.
Supporting text
Intention is not required for washing the hands in the second ruling because its reason is based on the suspicion of impurity (Wahm al-Najasa), and intention is not deemed necessary for cleansing impurity. Furthermore, since the command is for the act of washing itself, fulfilling the act is sufficient, and the command to do a thing implies its validity upon completion.