Mapping of Religious Motives of Deviant Behavior in Islamic Extremism: Bibliometric and Content Analysis

Authors

  • N. Nurgaliyev Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Zh. Kantarbayeva Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • M. Akmadi Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
  • Z. Che University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

10.26577//EJRS46220264

Abstract

This study examines the role of religious deviant behavior in Islamist extremism. The aim of the study was to analyze the religious motives underlying deviant behavior in extremism using bibliometric and content analyses. The results of the literature review showed that although considerable research has been conducted in this area, some aspects remain insufficiently studied due to the field's ongoing development and expansion. Based on publications in Scopus-indexed journals, a quantitative analysis was performed, and key texts were further selected for in-depth analysis. As a result of qualitative analysis, five dominant categories of religious motives were identified: normative-religious, eschatological, socio-religious, politico-religious and cultural-psychological. The results of the study also confirm that religious motives act not only as secondary reinforcement of social discontent, but also as the main legitimizing narratives of deviant behavior. In the context of Central Asia, these motives take a distinct form, focusing on justice and identity, rather than on apocalyptic themes more common in Middle Eastern discourse. This suggests that religious narratives provide not only a moral justification but also a structural basis for deviant practices. The study makes a theoretical contribution by proposing a structured map of religious motives and emphasizing both regional and practical aspects, suggesting that effective prevention strategies should be context-dependent and narrative-oriented.

Keywords: deviant behavior, elastic motives, bibliometric analysis, Central Asia, radicalization

Author Biographies

  • N. Nurgaliyev, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Nurgaliyev, Birzhan Bauyrzhanuly (corresponding author) – PhD student of the Department of Religious Studies and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: nurgaliyevbyrzhan@gmail.com

  • Zh. Kantarbayeva, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Kantarbaeva, Zhanna Orinbasarkyzy – Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Religious Studies and Cultural Studies of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail:kantarbaevazh@gmail.com

  • M. Akmadi, Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, Almaty, Kazakhstan

    Akmadi, Moldir Armankyzy – PhD, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Social and Humanitarian Disciplines of Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, e-mail: akmadi.moldir@gmail.com

  • Z. Che, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Che, Zarrina Saari – Professor of the Department of Usuluddin and Da'wah, Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, e-mail: zarrina@um.edu.my

Published

2026-06-20

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 2 (2026): Eurasian Journal of Religious Studies

Section

Religious Studies

How to Cite

Nurgaliyev, N., Kantarbayeva, Z., Akmadi, M., & Che, Z. (2026). Mapping of Religious Motives of Deviant Behavior in Islamic Extremism: Bibliometric and Content Analysis. Eurasian Journal of Religious Studies, 46(2). https://doi.org/10.26577//EJRS46220264