What is the ruling on the basmalah during wudu, and how is it performed in the bathroom?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh! The questioner asks: What is the ruling, or the stronger position, regarding the basmalah during wudu, and how does one say the basmalah if he is inside the bathroom?

Answer:
There is a hadith regarding the basmalah during wudu, and its narrations are numerous. Although it is weak, the multiplicity of its narrations and its various sources supports one another. It is his saying: . Based on this, Imam Ahmad holds that the basmalah is obligatory, one of the obligations of wudu. If one leaves it out intentionally, his wudu is not valid. If he leaves it out due to forgetfulness or ignorance, his wudu is valid. The majority of scholars hold that it is a recommended practice (sunnah). The majority of the people of knowledge hold that the basmalah in wudu is a recommended practice (sunnah) and not obligatory. They interpret the meaning of the negation "no wudu" as negating perfection in their view, not negating the validity of the act itself. This is how they interpret the hadith.
As for the bathroom that contains no impurity, where it is merely a place to relieve oneself, and then water is flushed and the impurity goes away leaving no trace.
This does not take the ruling of the open fields and latrines, because the open fields and latrines are those where the impurity remains present and does not go away. As for the issue of today's restrooms, this has changed; they are cleaned, and the urine and feces go away with the water, leaving no trace of them. So the matter is more serious in this regard. One should say the basmalah when performing wudu, even if he is in a restroom. Yes.