The concept of sustainable development has gained unprecedented importance in recent years as the global community faces challenges related to environmental degradation, poverty, inequality, and social injustice [1]. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, provide a comprehensive framework for addressing these issues by 2030. However, the implementation of these goals requires a broad, inclusive approach that considers diverse cultural, philosophical, and religious perspectives [2]. One such perspective is the Islamic worldview, which has long emphasized principles of sustainability, justice, and well-being [3]. Within this context, the concept of Maqasid Shariah (the objectives of Islamic law) offers a unique lens through which to examine the alignment between Islamic ethics and the SDGs [4].

Maqasid Shariah refers to the fundamental purposes of Islamic law, focusing on the protection and preservation of essential human values, such as religion, life, intellect, lineage, and wealth [5]. These principles serve as a guide for Muslims to achieve a balanced and harmonious life that meets both individual and collective needs [6]. As the world faces unprecedented challenges in the 21st century, these principles can provide valuable insights into how religious values can support global efforts toward sustainability [7].

Islamic scholars have long discussed the relationship between Shariah law and the broader well-being of society [8]. Maqasid Shariah emphasizes the importance of achieving maslahah (public good) while safeguarding the rights and dignity of all individuals. This aligns closely with the SDGs, which aim to eradicate poverty, ensure health and education, promote gender equality, and protect the environment [9]. Both frameworks emphasize the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic dimensions, making it possible to explore their common goals through the lens of Islamic law [10].

Despite the potential synergy between the SDGs and Maqasid Shariah, there has been limited research examining this relationship systematically [11]. Most existing literature on the SDGs tends to focus on Western or secular frameworks of development, leaving the role of Islamic thought underexplored [12]. In particular, few studies have employed a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to explore how Islamic perspectives have been applied in the context of sustainable development. This research gap calls for a deeper understanding of how Islamic law, specifically the objectives of Shariah, can contribute to the global development agenda [13].

This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of the intersection between the SDGs and Maqasid Shariah, focusing on the trends, influential authors, journals, and countries that have contributed to this body of knowledge over the last decade [14]. By utilizing VOSviewer, a software tool that allows for the visualization and mapping of bibliometric data, this study will generate insights into the global research landscape on this topic [15]. The analysis will reveal how Islamic values and principles have been integrated into the broader conversation on sustainable development, identifying key themes, debates, and emerging areas of interest [16].

Bibliometric analysis offers a powerful method for mapping the intellectual structure of a research field, identifying the most prominent authors, institutions, journals, and keywords. By using VOSviewer and Prisma framework, this study will visually represent the interconnections between various research themes and provide a clear picture of how the discourse around SDGs and Maqasid Shariah has evolved [17]. Additionally, the analysis will shed light on the geographic distribution of research, highlighting the countries and regions at the forefront of this scholarly activity [18]. This approach will not only help identify the key contributors but also show the global trends and areas that require further exploration [19].

The importance of this study lies in its potential to bridge the gap between global sustainability efforts and Islamic thought [20]. By demonstrating the compatibility of Maqasid Shariah with the SDGs, this research can contribute to a more inclusive understanding of sustainable development that incorporates diverse cultural and religious perspectives [21]. Furthermore, the findings could guide policymakers, educators, and researchers in leveraging Islamic principles to achieve the SDGs, offering a unique perspective that aligns spiritual and ethical values with the global development agenda [22].

This study seeks to explore the intersection of the SDGs and Maqasid Shariah through a bibliometric analysis, utilizing VOSviewer to visualize research trends, identify key contributors, and highlight emerging areas of interest. By doing so, it aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how Islamic principles can inform and enhance efforts toward sustainable development, contributing to a more holistic and inclusive approach to global challenges[23]. This research is timely and relevant, as it offers an opportunity to rethink sustainability from a perspective that values both human well-being and environmental stewardship, grounded in the ethical teachings of Islam. This analysis enabled us to observe how research interests in the intersection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Maqasid Shariah have evolved[24]. Furthermore, this study visualized and explored the scientific collaborations among the leading contributors in the field of SDGs through the lens of Maqasid Shariah[25]. This aspect was not fully addressed in previous studies. Specifically, we aim to answer the following research questions[26].

We will discuss the methodology applied in this paper, where the Prisma framework was primarily implemented as the main framework. The study utilized specific tools and techniques to analyze its impact, offering valuable insights and contributing to a deeper understanding of the research objectives [27].

A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research articles was performed using the Scopus database, aiming to examine the link between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Islamic Sharia [28]. The study employed strategic keywords, including Sustainable Development Goals, and TITLE-ABS-KEY ( "Sustainable Development Goals" ) to highlight this connection and provide robust evidence supporting the research objectives.

The bibliometric analysis covered research articles published between 2014 and 2024, providing a decade-long perspective on the evolving relationship between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Islamic Sharia. This time frame allowed for a comprehensive examination of trends, highlighting key developments and insights that align with the study's objectives [29].

In addition, utilizing specific search keywords and filters to refine the data, including terms such as LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "SOCI"), LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "BUSI"), LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "ECON"), and LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "ARTS"). These parameters ensured a focused exploration of research within relevant subject areas, enhancing the accuracy and relevance of the findings. The analysis also applied language filters to ensure consistency and relevance, using LIMIT-TO (LANGUAGE, "English").

These criteria were thoroughly outlined in Figure 1. the PRISMA framework section, where specific parameters such as language, subject areas, and publication years were clearly defined [30].

The inclusion and exclusion criteria for data screening were carefully established to ensure the relevance and quality of the selected studies. The inclusion criteria focused on articles published in English between 2014 and 2024, within specific subject areas such as sociology, business, Social Sciences, economics, and arts. Conversely, studies outside these parameters were excluded to maintain the accuracy and focus of the analysis[31]. These criteria were essential in refining the data set and ensuring a robust review process, as detailed in Table 1. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for data screening.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

This section presents the results of a bibliometric analysis exploring the relationship between Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Maqasid Shariah Tafsir. The study provides valuable insights into various aspects of this evolving field, spanning a decade of research [32]. It examines prominent subject areas, publication trends, leading countries and journals, key academic institutions, prolific authors, and primary research keywords [33]. This overview aims to trace the development of SDGs research through the lens of Maqasid Shariah Tafsir, identify the key factors influencing academic discourse, and offer a comprehensive understanding of global efforts to align sustainable development with Islamic principles [34]. The primary research questions will be addressed by the researcher in this section [35].

This bibliometric analysis has provided valuable insights into the intersection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Maqasid Shariah Tafsir, highlighting the increasing academic interest in aligning global sustainability initiatives with Islamic ethical principles. The analysis demonstrated key trends in publication outputs, influential authors, prominent journals, and collaborative networks, emphasizing the vital role of Maqasid Shariah in fostering a more inclusive and ethical approach to sustainable development. By integrating Islamic jurisprudence with modern sustainability efforts, researchers are contributing to a holistic framework that not only addresses economic, environmental, and social challenges but also upholds human dignity, justice, and well-being. Future studies should continue exploring this synergy to deepen understanding and inform policy-making, ensuring that sustainability efforts align with moral and spiritual values for a more equitable and balanced global future

Mariam Elbanna : Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – review & editing, Supervision, Project administration. Munshid Falih Wadi, Anwar M. Radiamoda & Yohei Matsuyama: Methodology, Writing – review & editing, Investigation. Mohamad Haeqal Bin Ishak: Review & editing, Investigation.

We would like to thank the Faculty of Islamic Studies and the Research and Innovation Institute of Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia, for their support in this research. We would also like to express our gratitude to several universities that are willing to collaborate in this research, such as Tanta University, University of Diyala, Mindanao State University, University of Tokyo, Prince of Songkhla University and International Islamic University Malaysia.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

This research did not receive any financial support.