Implementation of Hibah in Malaysia: A Systematic Literature Review

Hibah refers to the voluntary giving of property as a management tool for Muslims, aside from faraid and wasiyyah. However, public awareness and understanding of hibah management remain limited, leading to improper management of existing property and an increase in unclaimed property. Therefore, the study aims to expand the existing body of knowledge by highlighting and summarising current studies on hibah regarding the concept of hibah, its implementation in Malaysia and the related issue. Thus, this study presented a map of the research interest and determined primary issues to demonstrate current trends, future research directions and theory development. A systematic literature review (SLR) approach was employed using the four-step reporting standard for the Systematic Evidence Syntheses (ROSES) review: research question formulation, systematic searching, quality assessment, and data extraction. A total of 41 screened articles between 2019 and 2024 were retrieved from two primary databases (Scopus and Emerald and one supporting database, Google Scholar). The factors were categorised into three primary themes: general, motives and preference studies, and determinant analysis. The themes were subsequently divided into nine sub-themes. Notably, most studies have
highlighted the absence of specific laws, which consequently affects the effectiveness of hibah practices in Malaysia. This study provides valuable insights into the current research on the subject. The issues and areas explored contribute new knowledge and help advance theoretical development for future research in the field. By addressing empirical gaps, this study serves as an excellent reference for regulators, policymakers, and researchers, aiding in their understanding of the issues and existing solutions related to hibah.