Exploring the socio-economic dimensions of Islamic charitable giving: a bibliometric review

Purpose This study aims to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the current state of research on socio-economic dimensions of Islamic charitable giving, uncovering key themes and proposing directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative bibliometric approach was used, analyzing data retrieved from the Scopus database using specific keywords in the TITLE-ABS-KEY field. From 1969 to 2025, 3,573 documents were identified and reviewed, with 868 articles selected for detailed analysis. Tools such as R software and VOSviewer were used to categorize the findings into three primary domains: productivity metrics, citation patterns and network analysis. These domains facilitated the identification of research trends and prospective areas for further investigation. Findings The analysis reveals a notable increase in publications on Islamic charitable giving, encompassing contributions from 1,818 authors across various countries, institutions and journals. Seven distinct research clusters were identified, reflecting the diversity of themes within the literature. The themes are (1) waqf management and innovation, (2) zakat management and socio-economic development, (3) Muslim donation behavior and compliance, (4) digital transformation in Islamic endowment, (5) ethics in Islamic charity, (6) empowerment and social welfare and (7) integration of Islamic charitable giving and Islamic finance. This study also proposes a research agenda, highlighting specific questions to address existing gaps in the field. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to Scopus-indexed publications in English, which may exclude relevant work from other databases and regional repositories. Future research should expand coverage to Web of Science, Google Scholar and local databases and complement bibliometric mapping with systematic reviews and empirical studies. Scholars are encouraged to adopt causal and comparative approaches, improve reproducibility through open data sets and develop evidence-gap maps aligned with the five thematic clusters. Practical implications The findings provide actionable guidance for multiple stakeholders. For philanthropic institutions, they highlight the importance of integrated program portfolios supported by transparent impact assessment using indicators aligned with the sustainable development goals. For policymakers and regulators, the study emphasizes the need for stronger governance standards, proportionate regulatory frameworks for digital platforms and the integration of Islamic social finance (ISF) into national development strategies. The mapping reveals persistent fragmentation for academics, underscoring the need for comparative studies, theory-driven behavioral models and reproducible research practices. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first bibliometric study providing a comprehensive review of the literature on Islamic charitable giving across multiple decades. By integrating diverse elements of ISF into a unified framework, this study delivers a novel perspective, fostering academic and practical advancements in the field.