While there isn't a single person credited with the discovery of rectilinear propagation of light, the concept has been understood for centuries.

Here's a breakdown:

* Ancient Greeks: Philosophers like Euclid and Ptolemy were aware of light traveling in straight lines based on observations of shadows and eclipses.

* Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen): This 11th-century Arab scientist conducted extensive experiments on light, and his work was crucial in establishing the rectilinear propagation of light as a fundamental property.

* Later Developments: The understanding of rectilinear propagation was further refined through work by scientists like Johannes Kepler, Isaac Newton, and Christiaan Huygens who developed models explaining light's behavior.

Therefore, while Ibn al-Haytham played a pivotal role in establishing the principle, it's a concept that has been developed and refined over many centuries.