ABDULLAH IBNU YASIN THE FOUNDER OF AL-MURABITiN

Abdullah Ibnu Yasin was not only known for his deep knowledge in fiqh and science, but also a faithful courageous leader. These positive attributes qualified him to establish the pillars of Almoravid's empire, which well served Islam and spread its correct teachings in the south of Morocco as well as in Sudan.
Almoravids headed north in order to renew Islam's pride in Andaluse during Yusuf Ibnuu Tashfin's era. So, how did Almoravids' mission under Abdullah Ibnu Yasin's leadership emerge? In 440 A.H. while coming back from Hajj in Mecca, Yahya Ibnu Ibrahim Al Majdouli met a Muslim scholar, Abu Imran Al-Fassi in Al-Qayrawan. Yahya Ibnu Ibrahim joined Abu Imran's Islam circle teaching.
Then, when the latter noticed Yahya's inclination to learning, he asked him about his name and origin. Yahya was from Gudalah, one of the Sanhajah clan. Abu Imran was terrified on one hand knowing that Yahya neither understood the fundamental truth of Islam nor knew by heart any Qur'anic verse or Hadith, but he was pleased on the other hand knowing that Yahya had a correct creed (Aqeedah).
Abu Imran asked Yahya about the reasons that stopped him from learning. He answered that people in his country were ignorant and none of them could read Qur'an although they loved doing good deeds. He added that he would be grateful if Abu Imran could send with him one of his students who would teach his people Qur'an, Fiqh and Islamic law, would urge them to work in accordance with Qur'an and sunnah and would show them clearly how to follow the right path of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Abu Imran was affected by Yahya's words to the point that he quickly discussed the matter with his keen students who refused because of the travelling difficulties. Therefore, Abu Imran directed Yahya to a Muslim scholar, Wajaj Ibnu Zalalo Al-Lamti who devoted his life to learning and worship. He established a Maliki school where he had many students. Among them was Abdullah Ibnu Yasin Al-jazouli, who accepted travelling with Yahya although the journey would be full of danger and arduous. Allah (SWT) says: "He who forsakes his home in the cause of Allah finds in the earth many a refuge wide and spacious: should he die as a refugee from home for Allah and His Apostle, his reward becomes due and sure with Allah: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (An-Nisaa:100) Two theories have been proposed to explain the name "Al-Murabitin meaning inmates of a ribat (fortified monastery), a term by which Ibnu Yasin's followers were known.
The first is that he founded a ribat somewhere in Mauritania to train his followers. The other relates the name to Dar al-Murabitin in Souss, suggesting that the Almoravid movement was under the direct influence of this centre of learning. Ibnu Yasin's coming was a great triumph and a harbinger of the birth of a new state. His purpose was to unite all the tribes, regenerate the people's faith by teaching them the correct Islam and put an end to "shirk". He faced many difficulties in spreading the Words of Allah because the Berber tribes were ignorant of the Islamic rituals. Al-Murabitin began the invasion of Morocco after consolidating their control over Sijlmassah. Ibnu Yasin and Yahya led many battles against heretical beliefs and pagan tribes and they succeeded in converting them to Islam "Tawheed".
In 451 A.H. Ibnu Yasin, may Allah have mercy upon him, was killed in an attack on the heretical Barghawata tribal confederation on the Moroccan coast and was buried in Rabat. He left a memorable message to his followers: "stay united as one Ummah, never fear your enemy, and never fight between you for Khilaafah" . All in all Ibnu Yasin was a devoutly religious "commander" who inspired his followers by example. He was most noted for his truthfulness, politeness, forgiveness, modesty, patience, dignity, striving, and many other qualities.