The blind man here refers to Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktum.

Let us now ponder, why did the Holy Qur’an use the description ‘the blind man’ here? Is this blindness considered a defect for this man? The answer is: No, it is not considered a defect. Rather, it is a gift for him; as although he was blind, he was striving. Thus, this description is actually in praise of him.