ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
The use of digital technology in education is growing and opening up space for more innovative teaching approaches, including the use of gamification in teaching Islamic Education. This approach is seen as having the potential to make the learning process more interactive and increase students' interest in the learning content. However, studies related to gamification in Islamic Education are still scattered and have not been systematically collected in a comprehensive literature analysis. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a systematic literature review to examine the implementation of digital gamification in teaching Islamic Education, its impact on student motivation and mastery, and the challenges of its implementation in the educational context. This study uses the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method based on PRISMA guidelines, which involves four main stages, namely identification, screening, qualification and selection of articles. The literature search process was carried out through the Scopus and Web of Science databases, which produced 213 initial records. After the process of removing duplicate articles, screening titles and abstracts, and evaluating the full text was carried out, a total of 20 articles were selected for analysis. The results of the analysis identified three main themes, namely the implementation of digital gamification in teaching Islamic Education, its impact on student motivation and mastery, and the challenges of its implementation. This study suggests that the use of digital gamification be strengthened through teacher training, the provision of technological infrastructure, and the development of more systematic teaching materials. This study also contributes by offering a structured synthesis of recent research trends and identifying key gaps that require further investigation in the context of Islamic Education.
Ab Alim, N. N. A., Wahid, K., Abd Zamani, S. N. H., & Adenan, F. (2025). Artificial intelligence as a support tool for Quran memorization: An exploratory study on the potential use of AI applications among non-Islamic studies students. Quranica: International Journal of Quranic Research, 14, 157–186.
Ahmad, A. M., Ab Rahman, A., Saleh, M. H., & Daud, Z. (2024). Diversifying Quranic revision methods using gamification-based teaching material for tahfiz education. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 13(2), 987–996. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v13i2.26218
Akem, U., Hamdan, N. M., Iskandar, M. Y., Efendi, E., & Halimahturrafiah, N. (2025). Digital technology in Qur’anic learning: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Quranic Teaching and Learning, 1(2), 49–64. https://joqer.intischolar.id/index.php/joqer/article/view/9
Birgün, M. (2026). Integrating AI into Qur’an learning: Technical advances and pedagogical gaps. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 13, 102499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2026.102499
Dichev, C., & Dicheva, D. (2017). Gamifying education: What is known, what is believed and what remains uncertain: A critical review. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 14, 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-017-0042-5
Elsawah, W. (2025). Exploring the effectiveness of gamification in adult education: A learner-centric qualitative case study in a Dubai training context. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 9, 100465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2025.100465
Embong, A. H., Yasin, M. F. M., Ab Rahman, A. H., Abdul Kadir, F. K., & Salamun, H. (2023). Implementation of theory of mind in tajweed knowledge learning: Analysis of Iqra’s method. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 5, e2023058. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2023058
Feng, J., Tan, W. H., & Yu, B. (2024). A systematic literature review of the impact of gamification instruction on students’ problem-solving skills. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 13(6), 4082–4092. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v13i6.29695
Iftikhar, L., Hayat, A., & Sadia. (2024). Android Quran applications: Revolutionizing learning and teaching. Al-Manhal Research Journal, 4(2), 23–35.
Izzati, N., Hijriyah, U., & Safari, S. (2026). Korelasi antara pembelajaran berbasis gamifikasi dengan keaktifan belajar peserta didik pada mata pelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam di SMP. Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 11(2), 85–96. https://doi.org/10.62491/njpi.2026.v6i1-16
Khalilullah, M., Rahman, S., & Abdullah, N. (2025). Mobile learning of Islamic studies: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Islamic Education, 7(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.48.2.211224
Krath, J., Schurmann, L., & von Korflesch, H. F. O. (2021). Revealing the theoretical basis of gamification: A systematic review and analysis of theory in research on gamification, serious games and game-based learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 106963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.106963
Li, M., Ma, S., & Shi, Y. (2023). Examining the effectiveness of gamification as a tool prompting teaching and learning in educational settings: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1253549. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1253549
Margarita, M., Fernandez, R., Lopez, J., & Garcia, P. (2025). How gamification boosts learning in STEM higher education: A mixed methods study. Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 22(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00521-3
Nazliati, N., Rahman, A., & Hidayat, M. (2024). LOLITA Tajweed: Game-based learning media development using the Hannafin and Peck model. Journal of Islamic Education Technology, 9(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.22373/jid.v25i1.22933
Pradhana, R., Musthafa, B., & Putra, D. (2023). Implementasi teknologi augmented reality sebagai media game dalam pembelajaran. Jurnal Teknologi Pendidikan, 25(2), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.35508/jicon.v11i2.12568
Prihatiningtyas, S., Shofiyah, N., Yunus, S. R., Ma’arif, I. B., & Putra, I. A. (2025). Enhancing science literacy through flipbook-based STEM-Qur’an e-modules: A case study in Islamic boarding schools. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, 841.
Ramdhani, M., Setiawan, A., & Nugroho, R. (2026). Implementasi pembelajaran berbasis gamifikasi pada mata pelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam di SMK Muhammadiyah 3 Yogyakarta: Studi kualitatif fenomenologis. Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Islam, 14(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.59818/jpi.v6i1.2640
Ryu, E., Farraday, D., Fanaroff, A. C., Coratti, S., Chokshi, N. P., Zhu, J., Szymczak, J. E., Russell, L. B., Norton, L., Small, D., Volpp, K. G., & Klaiman, T. (2025). What motivates participants: A qualitative analysis of gamification and financial incentives to increase physical activity. BMC Public Health, 25, 1804. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22717-0
Sailer, M., & Homner, L. (2020). The gamification of learning: A meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 32, 77–112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-019-09498-w
Serafeim, A. T., Christos, G., & Theodosios, S. (2025). Gamification in education and training: A literature review. International Review of Education, 71, 483–517. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-024-10111-8
Umam, A., Arifin, M., & Darwis, M. (2026). Gamifikasi non-digital dalam pembentukan karakter Islami pada siswa di PKBM KBRI Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Jurnal Ilmiah Religiosity Entity Humanity (JIREH), 8(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.37364/jireh.v8i1.612
Widat, F., & Kurniawan, R. S. (2023). Transformation of tajweed learning management through digital method approach. MANAGERE: Indonesian Journal of Educational Management, 5(1), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.52627/managere.v5i1.212
Yusof, R. J. R., Norasid, M. A., Abdullah, M., Nasaruddin, N. A. A., Hisham, N. A. B., Saged, A. A. G., & Ramchahi, A. A. (2025). Aplikasi al-Quran digital dan kecerdasan buatan (AI): Satu tinjauan. Quranica: International Journal of Quranic Research, 14, 646–676. https://doi.org/10.55573/JOIRC.071205
Zainuddin, M., Mardianto, & Matsum, H. (2023). Development of game-based learning media on Islamic religious education materials. Nazhruna: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam, 6(1), 13–24. https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v6i1.2824
Azri, H., & Hamzah, I. (2026). Use of Digital Gamification in Islamic Studies Teaching: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 15(2), 97–124.
Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode