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The sustainable development goals (SDGs) devised by the United Nations (UN) call on countries – whether rich or poor – to solve global issues, improve lives and save the planet for future generations. However, the UN predicts that between $5 and $7tn will need to be spent annually between now and 2030 to accomplish these goals, posing a major financial hurdle. Islamic social finance, if used ethically, seeks to realise SDGs through fairness, justice and equity. Thus, this study aims to determine how Islamic social finance instruments such as Zakat, Waqf, Sadaqat and Qard-hasan contribute to realising SDGs.

This study used a preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses-based systematic literature review. Scopus and Google Scholar were chosen for the qualitative and meta-analysis of studies. The topic was reviewed in 178 academic papers from 2000 to 2022. The required articles were analysed after careful review.

Islamic social financing mechanisms have the capacity to solve many social issues and create better welfare conditions by ensuring economic, social and environmental sustainability in line with the SDGs. Indonesia and Malaysia lead Islamic social finance research, the survey found. The review revealed that Islamic social funding can achieve 11 out of 17 SDGs. Islamic commercial finance can be used for the remaining goals. The paper highlights Islamic social funding research limitations and opportunities.

The review study shows that Islamic social finance can fill the SDG funding gap, especially considering the post-pandemic financial crisis that has increased global income inequality and social disparities.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this article is the first of its kind to review the potential of Islamic social financing instruments to help achieve the SDGs.

Qardhul Hasan (QH) is a type of Islamic contract that prioritises benevolent aspects between beneficiaries and the fund provider. The effective management and distribution of QH can contribute to overcoming economic problems in society. This study aims to explore the potential to enlarge the sources of QH funding and QH financing in Indonesian Islamic banks. The paper proposes a framework for QH management in Islamic banks by identifying the sources of QH funds as well as the management and potential allocations of QH funds.

This study uses a descriptive analysis method with a framework-based review to discuss the strategy of optimising the sources, financing and management of QH in Islamic banks. The implementation of QH in the Islamic banking industry is described based on the previous literature and current phenomena.

To positively impact economic development, Islamic banks can collaborate with parties that are more focused on charitable activities and have greater resources to channel and use QH funds. This study also formulates a framework of QH funds management that prioritises efforts to multiply benefits for both the fund provider and the beneficiaries.

The descriptive method used in this paper comprises preliminary research to analyse the current phenomena and potential strategies that can be implemented. Future studies may use empirical data to strengthen the analysis.

The recommendations of this paper can be used by relevant social fund management institutions in collaboration with Islamic banking.

QH reflects not only the social aspects of Islamic banks and extends beyond their corporate social responsibility activities, its effective management will make a greater contribution to reducing the level of unemployment, poverty alleviation and supporting the country’s economic development.

This paper provides a framework that integrates financial institutions in maximising QH fund management to encourage greater benefits for the community. Although previous studies have mentioned the important role of QH, relatively few have considered how Islamic banks maximise its management.