Ablution, or Wudhu in Arabic, is the act of cleansing and purifying with water. Cleanliness is essential to the Islamic faith. Muslims perform ablution before Salat (daily prayers) and supplication because Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) loves those who make a habit of remaining clean. The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is an infinitely living beacon, guiding Muslims to be the best versions of themselves. We learn with diligently preserved hadiths the hows and whats of performing ablution, from the beginning to the end.
When starting ablution, Muslims must begin with the name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). We learn this through Abu Hurayrah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ ) in Sunan Abi Dawud 101, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The prayer of a person who does not perform ablution is not valid, and the ablution of a person who does not mention the name of Allah (in the beginning) is not valid. Again, in Sunan Ibn Majah (398), Abu Sa'eed bin Zaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) recalls Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) saying: 'There is no prayer for one who does not have ablution, and there is no ablution for one who does not mention the Name of Allah (before it). These hadiths clearly illustrate the importance of beginning ablution with the name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Before supplicating, mindfully clear your intentions. Make a sincere intention to please only Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Keep in mind why you are performing the ablution and our ultimate purpose as Muslims.
No action that we begin with the honest intention of pleasing Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) goes to waste. We gain virtues by every action that is performed in the name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Beginning any of our actions with the glorified name of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), especially ablution makes those actions heavier on the scale. Make sure to recite Bismillah and the dua for starting ablution to get in the habit of uttering Allah's name (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) before wudu.