In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

It has been narrated on the authority of Masruq who said: We asked Abdullah ibn Masud (ra) about the verse: "Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead.

Nay, they are alive, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord." (Qur'an 3:169).

He said: We asked the meaning of the verse from the Prophet (saws) who said: The souls, of the martyrs live in the bodies of green birds who have their nests in lanterns hung from the throne of the Almighty.

They eat the fruits of Paradise from wherever they like and then nestle in these lanterns.

Once their Lord cast a glance at them and said: Do you wish for anything?

They said: What more shall we desire? We eat the fruit of Paradise from wherever we like.

Their Lord asked them the same question thrice. When they saw that they will continue to be asked and not left (without answering the question), they said: O Lord, we wish that You may return our souls to our bodies so that we may be slain in Your way once again.

When He (Allah) saw that they had no need, they were left (to their joy in heaven). (Sahih Muslim)