Islamic Digital Civilization: A Literature Analysis of the Evolution of Islamic Economics Towards the Virtual and Metaverse Era

Abstract

The social, economic, and spiritual paradigms of societies worldwide have been transformed by advancements in digital technology, resulting in the metaverse ecosystem. Islamic digital civilization also known as "Islamic digital civilization" is a significant momentum in the Islamic economy to revitalize the values, principles, and practices of sharia economics in the virtual world. This study employs a qualitative approach and literature review method to analyze the development of Islamic economics from a conventional system to a digital economic order based on the values of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah. The literature sources used include the latest national and international journals from 2019 to 2025 that discuss the integration of technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital asset tokenization, and Islamic financial practices in the virtual world. Analysis shows that the digital Islamic economy is more than just the use of technology; it is a way to actualize the values of monotheism, justice, and trust in an increasingly digital economic environment. Thru smart contract systems, digital zakat platforms, and the tokenization of sharia assets, the Metaverse has a high probability of building a transparent and inclusive halal economic ecosystem. However, new ethical and jurisprudential challenges such as virtual ownership (digital ownership), data protection, and the authenticity of Sharia transactions in cyberspace are emerging. According to this research, to build an Islamic digital civilization, regulation, technological advancement, and spiritual governance must work together to ensure that digital progress remains focused on the values of maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah. In this way, the Islamic economy can serve as an ethical model for global economic development in the Web 3.0 and metaverse era, while also affirming Islam's position as a just, sustainable, and progress-oriented digital civilization.