According to another report, he lost his eye on the day of Qadisiyyah.
It is also said that the loss occurred in Ta’if, and we have already noted a view that it happened during a solar eclipse.
Al-Waqidi relates—from Muhammad ibn Ya‘qub ibn ‘Utbah, from his father, and from several others—that they said:
“Mughira ibn Shu‘bah remarked: ‘We were devoted to our ancestral religion, for we were the custodians of al-Lat. I imagine that even had I seen our people accept Islam, I would not have followed them.
‘A number of men from Banu Malik resolved to visit al-Muqawqis and present him with gifts, so I decided to join them. I consulted my uncle ‘Urwah ibn Mas‘ud, but he dissuaded me, saying, “None of your paternal kinsmen will be with you.”
‘I refused to heed him and travelled with them; I was the only ally in their company. When we reached Alexandria, we found al-Muqawqis seated in a hall overlooking the sea. I boarded a small boat until I drew level with his pavilion. He did not recognize me and ordered someone to question me, so I informed him of our identity and the purpose of our visit.
‘He directed that we lodge in a church and arranged hospitality for us. Later he admitted us to his presence. He looked at the chief of Banu Malik, drew him close and seated him beside himself, then asked, “Are all of you from Banu Malik?”
‘He answered, “Yes, except for one man.”
‘He pointed me out, and I was the least regarded of the group. Delighted with their gifts, he rewarded them generously, while what he gave me was not worth mentioning.
‘We departed, and Banu Malik began buying presents for their families. None of them offered me any share. They set off carrying wine, and we drank.
‘I resolved to kill them. I feigned illness and wrapped my head. When they placed their drink before them I said, “My head aches, but I will pour for you.”
‘They raised no objection, so I kept serving them (1), filling their cups to the brim. They drank on, unaware, until they fell asleep in a drunken stupor. Then I leapt up, killed them all, and took what they had with them.
‘Afterwards I came to the Prophet ﷺ and found him sitting in the mosque with his Companions. I was still in my travel clothes. I greeted him, and Abū Bakr recognised me.’