Mapping the Evolution and Thematic Shifts of Islamic Banking Research: A Year-by- Year Bibliometric Analysis from 2010 to 2025

Abstract

Employing a bibliometric analysis, this research delineates the thematic trajectory and intellectual progress of Islamic banking studies between 2010 and 2025. By examining 395 publications indexed in Scopus collected via Publish or Perish and processed through VOS viewer this work uncovers the field's structural trends, core themes, and future directions. The analysis identifies five distinct development stages: early discourse on ethical foundations and regulatory legitimacy; a shift toward risk management, governance, and compliance; a period of modernization focusing on digital and sustainability agendas; a phase marked by rapid, pandemic-induced digital growth and financial inclusion efforts; and the contemporary fusion of artificial intelligence, ESG standards, and green banking. VOSviewer visualizations underscore the transition from a primary focus on normative Shariah compliance to a more modern emphasis on technological governance, sustainability, and AI-integrated finance. Ultimately, this study advances the academic literature by systematically charting the longitudinal development of Islamic banking research and proposing a future research agenda centered on ethical digital finance, environmental sustainability, and AI governance.