Yahya Ibn Ibrahim

Yahya Ibn Ibrahim (c. 1048) was a leader of the Godala tribe in the Adrar plateau modern day Mauritania. Yahya Ibn Ibrahim's primary significance was in his involvement with Abdallah ibn Yasin, a Berber Muslim theologian with whom he founded the Almoravid movement. Yahya Ibn Ibrahim is the first Almoravid emir. His successor Yahya ibn Umar was his nephew.

Background Yahya Ibn Ibrahim was from the Godala tribe and is native of Adrar in Mauritania. The Godala were a Berber tribe of the Sanhaja tribal confederation. They lived in the Saharan desert closest to the coast, beyond the Lamtuna. These tribes rose to proclaim the truth, to repel injustice and to abolish all non-canonical taxes (magharim). They were Sunnis, strict adherents of the school of Malik ibn Anas.

Abdallah ibn Yasin began to call people to Jihad and made them proclaim the truth.

As described by Al-Bakri Yahya Ibn Ibrahim went on the Hajj to Mecca and during his return journey met a jurist (Abu Imran al-Fasi). Al-Fasi was interested in the religious doctrines and customs of Ibrahim's native country. Al-Fasi found Ibrahim "wholly ignorant, though avid to learn, full of good intentions and firm of faith"

From Al-Bakri:

Abu Imran could not find anyone among those he deemed fit. So he sent Ibrahim to find Waggag Ibn Zalwi of the Maluksus Ibrahim followed Abu Imran's advice and visited Zalwi. Zalwi recommended a man called Abdallah ibn Yasin.

Fallout Abdallah ibn Yasin remained among the Godala, but considered their conduct sinful. They turned hostile to him later on because they found him too strict in his religious teachings. They refused to abide by his legal opinions and counsel.

Ibn Yasin visited Waggag who took the following action: