Educational Engagement Through AR and VR: A Review with Application to Shariah-Compliant Sustainable Garden Concepts

The rapid advancement of immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) offers new opportunities for enhancing educational engagement. Globally, AR and VR have been applied in diverse fields, including architecture, sustainability education, and cultural heritage preservation. However, in Malaysia, the integration of these technologies into higher education remains limited, particularly in community-based learning environments that emphasise sustainability and Shariah-compliant values. Current studies tend to focus on technical adoption or user experience, with insufficient attention given to aligning immersive learning with the principles of Maqasid Shariah and the integration of ‘Aqli (rational) and Naqli (revealed) knowledge. This review paper explores global and local literature on AR and VR in education, identifying gaps and opportunities for application within the context of Shariah-compliant Sustainable garden concepts. The methodological approach includes a scoping review of recent publications from Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, synthesising key themes on immersive learning, community engagement, and Islamic education. Findings highlight AR and VR’s transformative role in advancing interactive and experiential learning, especially within STEM, cultural, and Islamic education. However, a research gap persists in their application to sustainable and environmental design. The review contributes by identifying emerging trends and research opportunities, establishing a foundation for future interdisciplinary and Shariah-aligned innovation in sustainability-focused design education.