It is narrated from Muhammad bin Umar (al-Waqidi) that the lineage of Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) is: al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah bin Abi Amir bin Mas'ud bin Mu'attib bin Malik bin Ka'b bin Amr bin Sa'd bin Awf bin Thaqif; and the actual name of Thaqif is Qasiyy bin Munabbih bin Bakr bin Hawazin bin Mansur bin Ikrimah bin Khasafah bin Qays bin Aylan bin Mudar bin Nizar. His kunyah was Abu Abdullah, and he was called "Mughirah al-Ra'y" (the man of sound judgement). He was extremely intelligent, shrewd and resourceful; whenever two complicated matters came before him, he would always find a way to success in one of them. He came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and accepted Islam, and stayed with him (peace and blessings be upon him) until he took part in the Umrah of Hudaybiyah in Dhu al-Qa'dah in the year 6 AH. Sayyiduna al-Mughirah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: This was the first journey on which I set out with him (peace and blessings be upon him). I used to be with Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), and I was among the special Companions who kept close company with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). After that, Sayyiduna al-Mughirah (may Allah be pleased with him) took part in all the battles with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). When the delegation of Banu Thaqif came into the presence of the Messenger, he (peace and blessings be upon him) lodged them with him (al-Mughirah) and he honoured them generously. Later, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent him and Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan bin Harb (may Allah be pleased with him) to Ta'if, and they went there and demolished "al-Rabbah" (an idol).

It is narrated from Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) sent me to subdue the people of al-Nujayr. Then I took part in the Battle of Yamamah, after which I was part of the conquests of Syria along with the Muslims. Then I was present at the Battle of Yarmuk, and on that day one of my eyes was injured (lost). Then I took part in the Battle of Qadisiyyah and went to Rustam as the envoy of Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him). During the caliphate of Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) I achieved several conquests; I conquered Hamadhan and also took part in the Battle of Nahawand. I was the commander of the left wing (maysarah) of the army of Nu'man bin Muqarrin (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) had written an order that if Nu'man were martyred, Hudhayfah would be the commander, and if he too were martyred, al-Mughirah would be the commander. I was the first person to establish the diwan (the official register and administration) of Basrah, and I gathered the people so that they could be given their stipends. I was governor of Kufah on behalf of Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), and I was still in that office when he was martyred. Then I was also governor of Kufah during the time of Sayyiduna Mu'awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him)."