Research Trends and Critical Issues in Islamic Ecotheology Learning: A Bibliometric Study (2020–2025)

Abstract

This research is motivated by the increasing global environmental crisis and the urgency of Islamic education in building ecological awareness based on theological values. Islamic Ecotheology Learning is seen as a strategic approach that integrates the values of monotheism, caliphate, trust, and sustainability in educational practices. The purpose of this research is to investigate trends, publication sources, research actors, emerging issues, and opportunities for developing Islamic Ecotheology Learning studies in the 2020–2025 period. The research was conducted in January 2026 with a quantitative approach through bibliometric analysis methods. Primary data in the form of 808 scientific publications obtained from Google Scholar using the Publish or Perish application, then selected into 83 relevant publications. Data analysis was carried out descriptively qualitatively with the support of Vosviewer for mapping keywords and theme networks. Results show five main findings: (1) publication trends increased significantly in 2023–2025; (2) sources are dominated by journal articles and seminar proceedings; (3) the focus shifts from normative-theoretical to applicative and contextual; (4) dominant issues include ecotheological values, Islamic Religious Education, the caliphate, sustainability, environmental crisis, and eco-Islamic boarding schools; and (5) opportunities emerge for developing community-based ecotheological learning models. Limitations lie in the lack of international sources indexed by Scopus and cross-country networks. This research recommends expanding international databases and developing integrative, contextual models.