Khalifah bin Khayyat narrates that the lineage of Safwan bin al-Mu'attal (may Allah be pleased with him) is: Safwan bin al-Mu'attal bin Rahadah bin Khuza'i bin Muharib bin Murrah bin Hilal bin Falij bin Dhakwan bin Tha'labah bin Buhthah bin Sulaym. He had a house in Basrah in the Mirbad quarter, and he died in the region of al-Jazirah near Shimshat, where his grave is.

Muhammad bin Umar (al-Waqidi) narrates that the kunyah of Sayyiduna Safwan bin al-Mu'attal (may Allah be pleased with him) was Abu Amr. He accepted Islam before the expedition of al-Muraysi', and took part in it and, after it, in all the expeditions, including the Battle of the Trench, with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). He was also with Kurz bin Jabir al-Fihri in the party that pursued the men of Uraynah who had raided the camels of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) at Dhu al-Jadr. Sayyiduna Safwan (may Allah be pleased with him) died in Shimshat in the year 60 AH.