ابن ماجہ · Hadith 2801

It was narrated from 'Abdullah concerning the Verse: "Think not of those as dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision that he said: "We asked about that and (the Prophet P.B.U.H ) said: 'Their souls are like green birds that fly wherever they wish in Paradise, then they corne back to lamps suspended from the Throne. While they were like that, your Lord looked at them and said, "Ask me for whatever you want." They said: "0 Lord, what should we ask You for when we can fly wherever we wish in Paradise?" When they saw that they would not be left alone until they had asked for something, they said: "We ask You to return our souls to our bodies in the world so that we may fight for Your sake (again)." When He saw that they would not ask for anything but that, they were left alone.''' (Sahih)