Silsilah Sahihah

Masruq says that I asked Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) about this verse: «وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّـهِ أَمْوَاتًا بَلْ أَحْيَاءٌ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ» (3-Aal Imran:169) "Do not think of those who are killed in the way of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive and are provided sustenance with their Lord." He said: Be aware, we had asked about this verse, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave this answer: "The souls of the martyrs are inside green birds, for them there are lamps hanging from the Throne, they roam freely in Paradise wherever they wish, and then return to those lamps. Their Lord looks at them from above and says: (Do you) want anything more? They say: What more could we desire, we roam in Paradise as we wish, (what else should we ask for)?" Allah repeats this three times. When they see that they are being compelled to ask for something more, they say: O our Lord! Return our souls to our bodies so that we may be martyred again in Your path. When Allah sees that they have no further need, He leaves them (in their state)."