The historical influence of Islamic values on the evolution of the civil state: A systematic literature review

Abstract

This systematic literature review explores the historical influence of Islamic values on the evolution of the civil state, tracing their impact from early governance models to modern administrative frameworks. While Islamic governance has long been examined through theological, legal, and political lenses, there is a lack of integrated scholarship that synthesizes historical foundations with contemporary developments in civil state discourse. Addressing this gap, we conducted an advanced search of the Scopus and Web of Science databases using the keywords “Islamic civil” and “governance.” The review was guided by the PRISMA framework, which ensured a rigorous process of identification, screening, and eligibility assessment, ultimately yielding 28 relevant scholarly works. The analysis of these studies generated three overarching themes. First, Historical Foundations and Evolution of Islamic Governance, which examines the formative principles, institutional structures, and political models shaped by Islamic jurisprudence and values throughout different historical periods. Second, Contemporary Challenges, Policies, and Legal Frameworks, which explores how Islamic governance adapts to modern legal systems, socio-political dynamics, and policy-making processes in diverse national contexts. Third, Intellectual Discourse, Ideological Shifts, and Intercultural Engagement, which highlights the negotiation between traditional Islamic thought and global civil state paradigms, including the influence of cross-cultural interactions and ideological debates. The findings indicate that Islamic values have consistently informed governance principles while evolving in response to changing political, legal, and cultural landscapes. This synthesis not only bridges historical and modern perspectives but also offers critical insights for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners seeking to understand the enduring role of Islamic governance principles in shaping civil state models across the Muslim world.