English Translation

Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Muhammad al-Muqri' informed us, from al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Ishaq, from Yusuf ibn Ya'qub, from Abu Musa, from Abu Mu'awiyah, from al-A'mash; and Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz informed us, from Abu al-Fadl ibn Ibrahim, from Ahmad ibn Salamah, from Ishaq ibn Ibrahim, from Jarir and Isa ibn Yunus, from al-A'mash, from Abdullah ibn Murrah, from Masruq, from Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) who was asked about the souls of the martyrs. He said: We asked about that. Their souls are like green birds that have lanterns suspended from the Throne. They roam freely in Paradise wherever they wish, then return to their lanterns. While they are thus, their Lord looks upon them and says: What do you desire? They say: What would we desire when we are in Paradise, roaming wherever we wish? When they see that they must ask for something, they say: Return our souls to our bodies so that we may fight in the cause of Allah and be killed again. When He sees that they ask for nothing, they are left alone. This is the wording of Abu Abdullah's narration. In the narration of al-Muqri', he said: We asked Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) about this verse: "And do not think of those who are killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision, rejoicing" [Al Imran 3:169-170]. He said: Indeed, we asked about that — then he mentioned the meaning of it.