This study aims to evaluate the contribution of Islamic finance in supporting the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) through a hybrid approach in the form of a systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis. The primary focus of this study is to determine the significance of the topic, identify thematic trends in publications from 2019 to 2025 and formulate implications for theoretical, practical and future research directions in Islamic finance and the SDGs.
The study uses a hybrid approach that combines a SLR with bibliometric analysis to assess the development of the literature on Islamic finance and the SDGs. The data search strategy was conducted systematically through the Scopus database using a combination of relevant keywords, encompassing publications from 2019 to 2025. The selection process follows the PRISMA protocol, and the bibliometric analysis is conducted using VOSviewer. This approach enables the integration of in-depth thematic exploration and knowledge network visualisation to comprehensively articulate the theoretical, practical and directional implications of future research efforts.
The results of this study, conducted through a hybrid approach of SLR and bibliometrics, show that the study of Islamic finance in the context of the SDGs experienced significant growth, both quantitatively and thematically, from 2019 to 2025. Geographically, publications are dominated by countries with strong economic and academic systems, including Muslim-majority countries. Meanwhile, thematically, topics such as Islamic social finance, financial inclusion, Islamic fintech, green sukuk and waqf are the main focuses closely linked to the SDGs agenda, particularly in supporting financial inclusion, community empowerment and sustainable finance. The results of the bibliometric visualisation also show that “Islamic finance” and “SDGs” are the central nodes across various research topics, underscoring the strategic role of Islamic finance in supporting sustainable development at the global level.
This study only used the Scopus database for academic publications. Advanced research can enhance generalisation by integrating the Scopus database with the Web of Science.
Islamic finance can serve as a sustainable and inclusive financing strategy through the issuance of green sukuk for environmental projects, as well as the integration of zakat and productive waqf to address poverty and inequality. In addition, Islamic fintech addresses the persistent issue of limited financial access in conventional financial services.
Islamic finance has significant potential to create a positive social impact by strengthening social justice, empowering people in poverty and improving welfare through inclusive distribution and financing mechanisms, such as zakat, waqf and green sukuk.
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is highly original because it integrates the SLR approach and bibliometric analysis to examine the relationship between Islamic finance and the achievement of the SDGs. This hybrid approach enables a comprehensive exploration of trends, key themes and conceptual clusters that have not been widely revealed in previous studies. In addition, this research contributes a new conceptual framework that connects the principles of Maqasid al-Shari’ah with global development goals, presenting a strategic roadmap for future research.
