Masruq (may Allah have mercy on him) said: We asked Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) about the souls of the martyrs. And if it were not for Sayyiduna Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), no one would have narrated a hadith to us. He said: The souls of the martyrs will be in the form of green birds near Allah on the Day of Resurrection, residing in lanterns hanging from the Throne, roaming freely in Paradise wherever they wish, and then returning to their lanterns. Their Lord (the Lord of all worlds) will look towards them and ask: "Do you need anything?" Those souls will say: We have no need for anything except that we be returned to the world and be killed again (i.e., be martyred again).