Yahya ibn Yahya al-Laythi

Yahya ibn Yahya al-Laythi al-Masmoudi al-Andalusi (152–234 AH) was a Berber scholar from al-Andalus who traveled to Madinah to study under Imam Malik ibn Anas. He is the primary transmitter of the Muwatta in al-Andalus and his recension (riwayah) of the Muwatta is the most widely circulated version today — the version studied worldwide is his recension. He served as a judge in Cordoba and was the leading figure in spreading Maliki fiqh throughout al-Andalus. His role in establishing the Maliki school in Spain and North Africa was foundational.