Mapping the Landscape of Fatwa Research in ESG and Sustainability A Bibliometric Analysis (2003–2025)

Abstract

Despite the increasing relevance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks in global finance, the role of Islamic legal instruments, particularly fatwas, in advancing sustainability remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 580 scholarly publications from 2003 to 2025, focusing on fatwas related to ESG and sustainability. Using the Publish or Perish software and VOSviewer for data extraction and visualization, the research identifies key thematic clusters, leading institutions, collaborative networks, and geographic trends within the discourse. Results show four dominant clusters: ESG governance, Islamic financial instruments, green investment, and social sustainability. Malaysia emerges as the central hub for fatwa-based ESG practices, with institutions like IIUM and ISRA playing pivotal roles. However, the findings also highlight critical gaps, including the marginal treatment of social ESG dimensions, limited integration with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), regional concentration, and a lack of empirical validation. This study contributes to the fields of Islamic economics and business by framing fatwas not only as religious-legal tools but also as epistemic frameworks that shape ethical governance and sustainability practices. It offers a roadmap for future interdisciplinary research, policy innovation, and institutional development to bridge Islamic ethical principles with global ESG standards and practices.