Investigation of viewpoints about the understanding of the concept of “the intention of the believer is better than his deed”

Frequent citation of the hadith “niyyat al-mu’min khayrrun min ‘amalih” (the intention of a believer is better than his deed) in different academic fields suggests the importance of this hadith among the Muslim scholars. As for the concept and tenor of this hadith the viewpoints are different so that more than ten points of view can be mentioned in this filed, some of which, however, can refer to one another, and most of which are either totally harmed and rejected, or are imperfect and lack the required comprehensiveness. In these conditions, that view seems to be acceptable and defendable that is adequately supported by traditions. Based on this view – which is termed “aṣālat al-niyyah” (genuineness of intention) - it is the intention that is considered as the basis of deed and that forms it. Therefore, the foundation for evaluating of an act and the criterion for being it good or evil is the intention.