It wasnarrated from 'Abdullah concerning the Verse:
"Think not ofthoseas dead who are killed in the way of Allah. Nay, they are alive,withtheir Lord, and they have provision,"[3:169] that he said: "Weasked about that, and (the Prophet (ﷺ)) said: 'Their souls arelikegreen birds that fly wherever they wish in Paradise, then theycomeback to lamps suspended from the Throne. While they were likethat,your Lord looked at them and said, "Ask me for whatever youwant."They said: "O Lord, what should we ask You for when we canflywherever we wish in Paradise?" When they saw that they wouldnot beleft alone until they had asked for something, they said: "Weask Youto return our souls to our bodies in the world so that we mayfightfor Your sake (again)." When He saw that they would not askforanything but that, they were left alone.'"
English reference: Vol. 4, Book 24, Hadith 2801
Arabic reference: Book 24, Hadith 2907