Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 20534 — What is mentioned on the virtue

Masruq (may Allah have mercy on him) said: I asked Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) about this verse of the Qur'an: "Do not think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead; rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision." [Al Imran: 169] He said: We asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about this, and he said: "The souls of the martyrs are in the form of green birds, roaming in Paradise wherever they wish. Then they settle upon lamps hanging from the Throne. Allah Almighty addresses them and says: 'Ask for whatever you wish.' They say: 'O our Lord! What more could we ask of You when we roam in Paradise? What else do we need besides this?' Allah Almighty will say: 'Ask Me for whatever you wish.' They will say: 'O our Lord! What could we ask of You when we are roaming and enjoying ourselves in Paradise? What else could we desire besides this?' Allah Almighty will again turn to them and say: 'Ask Me for whatever you wish.' They will say: 'O our Lord! What could we ask of You when we roam wherever we wish in Paradise? What else do we need?' Then, when they see that Allah Almighty certainly wishes to give them something, they will say: 'O our Lord! We ask You to return our souls to our bodies so that we may go back and be killed in Your cause.' When Allah Almighty sees that they ask for nothing but this, Allah Almighty will leave them as they are."