Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) stated:

The intention (in relation to making Wudoo’) is of four states:

1. The person carries with him the intention by remembering it from the beginning of the Wudoo’ to the end of it. This is the most complete of the (four) states.

2. The intention leaves his mind. However, he doesn’t intend to cut off the intention of making Wudoo’. This is called “having the ruling of the intention being present (while doing the act).” Meaning that he built upon the first ruling and remained upon it.

3. The person has the intent to cut off the act of making Wudoo’ while making the Wudoo’. However, he carried on performing the act, (for example) washing the feet to clean the dirt off. The Wudoo’ of this person is not correct, due to him not carrying the intention of making the Wudoo’ (or the ruling of it until the end). It is also due to the person cutting off the intention (of making Wudoo’) during the act of worship.

4. The person intends to cut off the intention of making Wudoo’ after he has finished making Wudoo’ of all of the body parts. This does not invalidate the Wudoo’. That’s because he intended to cut off the act of making Wudoo’ after the completion of the act.

Source: Sharh al-Mumti’ (1/206), Al-Mughnee by Ibn al-Qudaamah (1/93)

Translated by: Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
28th of Shawwaal, 1435 (23rd of August, 2014)
Masjid Nur Allah, LeFrak City, Corona, NYC