The Evolution of Islamic Law Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

The field of Islamic law has undergone significant transformations, particularly between 2014 and 2024, with substantial growth in research output. This evolution reflects the increasing global interest in how Sharia interacts with modern legal systems, human rights, and social practices. Islamic law research has diversified beyond theological perspectives, incorporating interdisciplinary approaches from sociology, economics, and political science. This study aims to explore the trends and patterns in Islamic law research over the past decade through bibliometric analysis, identifying key themes, contributing countries, and academic institutions. Using a quantitative bibliometric approach, this study analyzed publications indexed in Scopus and SINTA 1 from 2014 to 2024. The research focused on scholarly articles, conference papers, and book chapters that discussed Islamic law and its relationship with global legal systems. Key analysis tools included VOSviewer and Mendeley for data management and network visualization. The analysis revealed a consistent increase in publications, particularly in Islamic finance, human rights, and Sharia governance. Significant contributions came from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey, with a notable rise in cross-border collaborations among academic institutions. The study also highlighted the growing focus on interdisciplinary research, with an increasing interest in gender equality and the application of Islamic law in non-Muslim-majority countries. The evolution of Islamic law research has expanded significantly, driven by interdisciplinary approaches and global collaboration. Future research should further explore the integration of Islamic law with contemporary global challenges, particularly in areas such as human rights and gender equality.