Honoring Dr. Yahya Abdul Rahman: Legacy of Leadership, Faith, and Service

Dr. Yahya Abdul Rahman was a man of radiant presence-always smiling, even when faced with criticism. He was known for being the first to greet others, even strangers, and for his unshakeable positive outlook.

On the pulpit, he was a dynamic, motivational, and inspiring speaker. In every sphere of his activism, he remained a true public servant, despite holding many prominent positions in both community and business life.

In August 2025, Dr. Yahya quietly departed from this world, returning to his Creator as a contented soul. He lived a life of unwavering service to his community and country, and left behind a legacy that includes raising two righteous daughters-fulfilling the beautiful saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "Whoever raises two daughters as true believers will be in my company in Paradise." May he now be in the blessed company of the one he loved most-the Prophet Muhammad.

Born in Egypt, Dr. Yahya moved to the United States in 1968 at the age of 57. He witnessed pivotal moments in history: the civil rights movement, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. On every occasion, he spoke with the wisdom of a statesman and led the Muslim American community with courage and clarity.

He was instrumental in forming the Muslim Students Association and actively served the Islamic Center of Southern California. His voice echoed in mosques across the country, where he was a sought-after speaker for Friday congregational prayers. During the crises in Bosnia and Kosovo, and in the aftermath of 9/11, Dr. Yahya was a unifying force-organizing prayers and inviting the interfaith community to stand together.

A pioneer in Islamic banking, Dr. Yahya revolutionized the landscape of finance in the U.S. through the founding of LARIBA-a usury-free banking model and a flagship institution of Islamic finance in America. His book, The Art of Islamic Banking and Finance (Wiley, 2010), remains a foundational text in the field.

He traveled extensively, speaking on Riba-Free (RF) banking in countries including Canada, the UK, South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Malaysia, Turkey, and many others. His contributions were global: he helped establish the Industrial Bank of Kuwait (1974-75), American Finance House - LARIBA (1987), LARIBA Bank of Kazakhstan (1994), and the LARIBA Bank of Whittier (1998). He also served on the jury for Malaysia's prestigious Global Royal Award in Islamic Finance in multiple years.

Dr. Yahya lived with a deep awareness of mortality, using his time and talents in service of God and community. Whether at mosques, conventions, or casual gatherings, his presence left a lasting impression. His vision for the Muslim American community centered on empowering youth to take leadership in service of humanity.

His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his legacy lives on through his teachings, writings, and the countless lives he touched. We thank God for blessing us with the wisdom, sincerity, and dedication of this faithful servant.

An Excerpt from Dr. Yahya's Vision for LARIBA:

"LARIBA financing is potentially in harmony with the best of American virtue and values. It offers numerous benefits for civil society and the community in a world where many are excluded from access to credit and finance... It is the responsibility of the LARIBA banker to help people eliminate debt, allowing them to live freely... A savings program for future generations is needed to save a sizable down payment for their first home... LARIBA mortgages and financing bring real life to the Community Reinvestment Act, as stipulated by American banking regulations."