The Angel of Death paid a call on Solomon. During his visit, he fell to staring at a man of Solomon's court. After he left, the man asked, "Who was that?"
"That," said Solomon, "was the Angel of Death, peace be upon him."
"He seemed to be staring, as if it were me he sought!"
"What do you desire, then?" asked Solomon.
"I want the wind to carry me away and set me down in India!" he said. So Solomon called for a wind to whirl the man there.
[A little later,] the Angel of Death came back to Solomon, peace be upon him. Solomon said to him: "You sure were staring at one of my courtiers!"
The Angel of Death said, "But I was surprised at seeing him here with you! when I was on my way to snatch his soul from him, in India."
From The Book of Asceticism by Ahmad ibn Hanbal (cf.)
