Waqf over a century: innovation and tradition in shaping social equity and sustainable development

Purpose This study aims to examine the evolution and contemporary relevance of waqf, a traditional Islamic endowment institution, in promoting sustainable development and addressing social challenges. It explores waqf's contributions to social policy, focusing on its potential to bridge resource gaps and foster socioeconomic equity. Design/methodology/approach The research analyzes 722 peer-reviewed articles published between 1914 and 2024 using structural topic modeling, a machine learning technique, to identify latent themes and trends in waqf scholarship. A negative binomial regression model is employed to examine the influence of various factors on the citation performance of waqf-related research. Findings Fifteen distinct topics were identified, covering governance, legal frameworks, socioeconomic applications and innovations like blockchain and cash waqf. The findings demonstrate waqf's increasing adaptability in addressing contemporary global challenges such as poverty alleviation, educational access and healthcare equity. Citation analysis reveals that paper age, reference count and collaborative authorship positively influence research impact, with Malaysian authorship emerging as a significant contributor. Originality/value This study provides a century-spanning systematic review of waqf-related literature, offering a holistic understanding of its evolution and impact. It bridges traditional practices with innovative applications, positioning waqf as a globally relevant tool for achieving sustainable development goals and advancing social policy.