.png){kind=logo}
Pathways to Sustainable Waqf: A Bibliometric Review of Indonesia’s Contribution to SDG-Linked Research
Abstract
Despite the growing recognition of waqf as a strategic instrument in Islamic social finance, limited attention has been given to systematically mapping the academic trajectory of waqf-related research, particularly in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Indonesian context. Existing studies remain predominantly conceptual or case-based, lacking a comprehensive bibliometric overview that explicitly links waqf scholarship with SDG indicators. To address this gap, this study provides a focused bibliometric review of waqf-related research with an emphasis on Indonesia, offering a structured mapping of thematic evolution, publication trends, and knowledge clusters. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 647 initial Scopus-indexed publications published between 2017 and 2025 using the keywords “waqf,” and “SDGs resulting in a final dataset of 124 documents. The analysis was performed using the Bibliometrix R-package and its web-based interface, Biblioshiny, enabling both performance analysis and science mapping techniques. The findings reveal a significant increase in research activity over the past decade, with notable contributions from Indonesian scholars and institutions. However, the thematic integration of waqf with specific SDG indicators remains limited and fragmented. This study contributes to the literature by providing a structured mapping of research trends, identifying thematic gaps, and offering insights to strengthen the strategic alignment of waqf with sustainable development agendas. The findings also highlight the need for more integrated and impact-oriented research to enhance the role of waqf in achieving SDGs. Furthermore, this study proposes a conceptual pathway for integrating waqf into the broader sustainable development financing ecosystem.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abdullah, M. (2018). Waqf, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Maqasid Al-Shariah. International Journal of Social Economics, 45(1), 158–172.
Abdullah, M. (2018). Waqf and SDGs integration framework. International Journal of Social Economics, 45(1), 158–172.
Ahmed, H. (2016). Integrating Zakah, Awqaf and microfinance for poverty alleviation: Three models of Islamic microfinance. Islamic Economic Studies, 24(2), 19–50.
Ali, K. M., Kassim, S., et al. (2021). Development of waqf forest in Indonesia: The sustainability perspective. Jurnal Manajemen Hutan Tropika.
Aliyu, S. U. R. (2019). A contemporary analysis of waqf regulation and governance in Malaysia and Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 10(5), 654-670.
Alam, A., Nashiruddin, A., et al. (2024). Implementing waqf forests in Indonesia: A SWOT analysis. International Journal of Environmental Impacts.
Amalia, E., & Huda, N. (2022). Digital waqf and sustainable development in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, 8(2), 245–266.
Anwar, M. Z., & Fathan. (2023). Transformation of economic theology for community welfare and sustainability. Journal of Indonesian Islam.
Apriliyanti, I. D., & Alon, I. (2017). Bibliometric analysis of absorptive capacity. International Business Review, 26(5), 896–907.
Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975.
Azha, L., et al. (2013). The role of waqf in educational development: Evidence from Islamic institutions. Procedia Economics and Finance, 7, 189–195.
Bakar, M. D., & Rahman, A. A. (2020). Cash waqf and financial inclusion in Islamic finance. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance, 12(3), 293–310.
Cizakca, M. (1998). Awqaf in history and its implications for modern Islamic economies. Islamic Economic Studies, 6(1), 43–70.
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296.
Fauzia, A. (2017). Islamic Philanthropy in Indonesia: Modernization, Islamization, and Social Justice. Austrian Journal of South-East Asian Studies, 10(2), 223–236.
Firmansyah, I., et al. (2022). Sustainable waqf governance and accountability practices. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research.
Haneef, M. A., et al. (2015). Integration of waqf and Islamic microfinance for poverty alleviation. Journal of Islamic Finance, 4(2), 1–12.
Hasan, Z., & Abdullah, M. (2023). Islamic social finance and sustainable development: A conceptual review. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 16(1), 45–63.
Hassan, M. K., et al. (2021). Islamic social finance and the SDGs. Global Finance Journal, 49, 100641.
Huda, N., et al. (2017). The role of waqf in empowering the Indonesian economy. Humanomics, 33(3), 342–356.
Hudaefi, F. A. (2020). How does Islamic fintech promote the SDGs? Qualitative evidence from Indonesia. Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, 12(4), 353–366.
Hughes, M. A., Siddiqui, S., et al. (2024). From Islamic charity to Muslim philanthropy: Development and sustainability perspectives. Religion Compass.
Ismail, A. G., et al. (2021). Productive waqf and sustainable financing models. ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance.
Kahf, M. (2003). The role of waqf in improving the ummah welfare. International Seminar on Waqf.
Kassim, S. (2016). Islamic finance and economic growth: The Malaysian experience. Global Finance Journal, 30, 66–76.
Khan, T., et al. (2022). Islamic blended finance for circular economy impactful SMEs to achieve SDGs. Singapore Economic Review, 67(5), 1483–1502.
Khan, P., et al. (2022). Open innovation of institutional investors and higher education systems in achieving SDG-4. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 8(1), 45.
Kuran, T. (2001). The provision of public goods under Islamic law: Origins, impact, and limitations of the waqf system. Law and Society Review, 35(4), 841–898.
Mahamood, S. M., & Ab Rahman, A. (2015). Financing universities through waqf: Historical and contemporary perspectives. Humanomics, 31(2), 175–190.
Mokhtar, I., et al. (2015). Cash waqf and financial inclusion in Malaysia. Journal of Islamic Finance, 4(1), 12–25.
Mohsin, M. I. A., et al. (2016). Financing through cash-waqf: A revitalization to finance different needs. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 9(4), 448–464.
Mukhlishin, & Ramadhan, J. (2025). Zakat and waqf synergies to accelerate sustainable development goals. Journal of Sustainable Development and Regulatory Issues.
Mukhtasor, et al. (2023). Scaling up renewable energy financing through waqf mechanisms. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy.
Mutmainah, L., et al. (2021). Productive waqf and digital transformation in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 12(6), 815–832.
Noor, A. M., et al. (2020). Accountability in waqf governance: Evidence from Southeast Asia. International Journal of Ethics and Systems.
Nurzaman, M. S. (2018). Evaluating the impact of productive waqf in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance, 4(2), 145–164.
Pritchard, A. (1969). Statistical bibliography or bibliometrics? Journal of Documentation, 25(4), 348–349.
Raghibi, A., & Oubdi, L. (2018). Cash waqf and Shariah permissibility: Contemporary perspectives. Journal of Islamic Economics Studies, 10(1), 55–72.
Rizzello, A., Kabli, A., et al. (2020). Social finance and sustainable development goals: Islamic finance perspectives. ACRN Journal of Finance and Risk Perspectives.
Sadeq, A. H. M. (2002). Waqf, perpetual charity and poverty alleviation. International Journal of Social Economics, 29(1/2), 135–151.
Saiti, B., et al. (2021). The global cash waqf: A tool against poverty in Muslim countries. Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, 13(3), 327–345.
Sakti, A., & Rani, L. (2020). Sustainable waqf management using technology-based systems. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 27(6), 1345–1360.
Sayed Khalid Rashid. (2003). Waqf administration in Muslim countries: Historical development and contemporary issues. Islamic Studies, 42(2), 203–227.
Shaikh, S. A., et al. (2017). Role of waqf in sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation: A case study approach. International Journal of Zakat, 2(1), 45–58.
Shahid, M., Sulub, Y. A., et al. (2024). Analyzing the commonalities between Islamic social finance and sustainable development. International Journal of Ethics and Systems.
Siswantoro, D., & Dewi, M. K. (2007). Public awareness and development of waqf institutions in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Economics, 3(1), 45–58.
Suhaimi Nahar, H., & Yaacob, H. (2011). Accountability practices in waqf institutions. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 2(2), 87–113.
Sukmana, R. (2020). Critical assessment of Islamic endowment funds (waqf) literature: Lesson for government and future directions. Heliyon, 6(10), e05074.
Tok, E., et al. (2022). Sustainable Development Goals and Islamic social finance: From policy divide to policy coherence and convergence. Sustainability, 14(12), 6876.
Uluyol, B. (2021). Mapping waqf research: A thirty-year bibliometric analysis. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 12(4), 567–589.
Wu, Y. (2017). Waqf law and institutional transformation in Islamic societies. Iowa Law Review, 102(4), 1501–1535.
Yaacob, H. (2013). Waqf history and legislation in Malaysia: A contemporary perspective. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 4(2), 125–141.
Yaakob, H., et al. (2017). Environmental sustainability and waqf institutions. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(11), 10123–10135.
Zaenurrosyid, A., Sholihah, H., et al. (2024). The Islamic philanthropy model based on maslahah and sustainable development. Ijtihad: Jurnal Wacana Hukum Islam dan Kemanusiaan.
Zahro’, K., Zarkasyi, H. F., et al. (2025). Assessing the Nazhir Waqf’s Professionalism of Productive Waqf Management. Al-’Adalah.
Zhang, J., et al. (2019). Science mapping and bibliometric approaches in sustainability research. Sustainability, 11(17), 1–18.
Zupic, I., & Cater, T. (2015). Bibliometric methods in management and organization. Organizational Research Methods, 18(3), 429–472.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21107/dinar.v13i2.34418
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Fitria Nurma Sari, Furqonul Haq, Andy Putra Wijaya
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Journal Dinar Indexed by:
Dinar: Jurnal Ekonomi dan Keuangan Islam by Universitas Trunojoyo Madura is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.