Green Birds

Ibn Abbas narrated:

The Messenger of Allah, salallahu alahi wasalaam, said: “When your brothers were killed at Uhud, Allah had their souls in the insides of green birds flying on the banks of the rivers of Paradise and eating from the fruits thereof. At night these birds spend their evening in lanterns hanging to the throne of Allah. When the martyrs saw the blessings they were in, they said: “Who would convey to our brothers that we are living in Paradise so they won’t ignore jihad and stop fighting?” Allah then revealed: “And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision, rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed on them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those after them who have not yet joined them- that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. They receive good tidings of favor from Allah and bounty and that Allah does not allow the reward of believers to be lost.” (Aal Imran 169-171)

[Abu Dawud & Muslim]