Hence, only the extent that needs to be necessarily washed...
Hence, only the extent that needs to be necessarily washed has been mentioned in the verse; however, as far as the manner of washing is concerned, it has been mentioned in the traditions of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w) that have reached us by means of the Ahlul Bayt, and it is to wash the hands from the elbows towards the fingertips.
The letter (ب), which is found in the word (بِرُؤُسِكُمْ) – according to the explicit statements of some of the traditions and clear opinions of some of the lexicographers – is used to denote ‘a part’ (or portion) – as such the meaning conveyed by the verse is: ‘Wipe a portion of your heads’ which, in our traditions, has been delineated as the anterior one-fourth region of the head and this one-fourth portion ought to be wiped with the hand, no matter how small be the measure of wiping.
It follows that the practice which is prevalent amongst some of the Sunni groups, who wipe their entire heads and even their ears, is inconsistent with the meaning conveyed by the verse. The word أَرْجُلَكُمْ being located next to بِرُؤُسِكُمْ is a testimony to the fact that the legs should also be wiped and not washed.
(And if we observe that during recitation, أَرْجُلَكُمْ is recited such that (ل) possesses the fathah (the vowel point for ‘a’), this is due to it being superimposed upon the place of بِرُؤُسِكُمْ and not on the word (2) وُجُوهَكُمْ (3) 4. What is the need to face the Qiblah in prayers?
Suratul Baqarah states: وَ لِلٌّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَ الْمَغْرِبُ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللٌّهِ “To Allah belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah.” (4) In consideration of the above verse, the question that comes to mind is: “If Allah is present wherever we face, what then is the need to face the Qiblah (during the prayers)?” (The order for) facing the Qiblah is not at all intended to confine the presence of the Holy Allah in a particular direction.
However, since man is a material entity and thus, must necessarily face a direction while offering his prayers, it has been ruled that all should face one particular direction during their prayers. This is with the objective of realizing unity and harmony amongst the Muslims and preventing confusion, disorder and scattering amongst them.
Just reflect how scathing and disorderly it would be if each person were to offer his prayers in a different direction and the people were to establish scattered rows (for the prayers).