Harnessing Maqāṣid Al-Sharīʿah for Poverty Alleviation and Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: A Systematic Literature Review

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) to examine the relationship between poverty and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting key barriers such as lack of funding, political instability and environmental challenges. The study also explores how Islamic ethical principles, which draw from maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (the objectives of Islamic law), can contribute to developing more effective poverty alleviation strategies that align with sustainable development efforts. Design/Methodology/Approach — An SLR was conducted, analysing findings from 30 empirical studies. The review synthesises the multidimensional nature of poverty and integrates Islamic ethical perspectives, particularly from maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, to explore new approaches to poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Findings — The review identifies the critical role of multidimensional poverty in limiting access to essential resources such as educational, healthcare and financial services. It also reveals the need for integrated strategies that combine economic, social and environmental solutions to effectively combat poverty with Islamic principles that offer an additional ethical framework for addressing modern development challenges. Originality/Value — This study provides a unique contribution by combining the multidimensional aspects of poverty with Islamic ethical principles drawn from maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah, offering new insights into poverty alleviation strategies that can align with both global development goals and Islamic values. Research Limitations/Implications — This study is based on secondary data from empirical studies, which may limit the scope of the findings. Future research should involve primary data collection to validate these insights across diverse contexts. Practical Implications — Policymakers and development practitioners can utilise the findings to implement more holistic and inclusive poverty reduction strategies that consider both economic and ethical factors with a particular focus on marginalised groups and sustainable growth.