Reforming Islamic financial standards for inclusive and sustainable development: a Maturidi creed perspective on behaviour, equity and justice

Purpose This study aims to investigate how Islamic financial standards can be reformed to better promote equity, justice and inclusion in support of sustainable development. Drawing upon the Maturidi creed, which emphasizes rationality, ethical conduct and moral responsibility, the research seeks to realign Islamic finance with the foundational objectives of Shariah, fostering a just and inclusive economic system. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a systematic literature review (SLR) following the PRISMA protocol, analysing peer-reviewed literature from 2012 to 2023. Text-mining techniques, including topic modelling and heatmap analysis using Python, were employed to uncover key themes and trends related to Islamic finance reform and its intersection with sustainable and inclusive development. Findings The study identifies critical pathways for enhancing equity and justice within Islamic finance. Key themes include the role of Islamic FinTech in improving financial inclusion, the need for regulatory innovation to support underserved communities and entrepreneurs and the integration of Maqasid al-Shariah to ensure fairness and sustainability. The findings emphasize the behavioural transformation needed to shift from profit-centric capitalism towards a more inclusive and ethically grounded financial system. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to secondary data and literature published between 2012 and 2023. Further empirical research is needed to validate these insights in diverse regional and institutional contexts. Practical implications Policymakers and practitioners are provided with a faith-based yet forward-looking framework to reform financial systems, making them more inclusive and just. The integration of theological ethics into financial governance offers tools to combat inequality and promote responsible economic behaviour. Social implications By advocating for values-driven financial practices, this research contributes to broader societal goals, including poverty reduction, equitable wealth distribution and social cohesion. It aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and 10 (Reduced Inequality). Originality/value This paper presents a novel interdisciplinary approach by bridging Islamic theology, behavioural economics and sustainable development. The use of the Maturidi perspective provides a unique ethical and rational foundation for reforming Islamic finance to better serve the goals of equity, justice and inclusion.