Azrael and the Man who Fled to Prophet Solomon ﵇

One forenoon a freeborn (noble) man arrived and ran into Solomon’s hall of justice,

His countenance pale with anguish and both lips blue. Then Solomon said, “Good sir, what is the matter?”

He replied, “Azrael cast on me such a look, so full of wrath and hate.”

“Come,” said the king, “what (boon) do you desire now? Ask (it)!” “O protector of my life,” said he, “command the wind,

To bear me from here to India. Maybe, when thy slave is come thither he will save his life.”

Lo, the people are fleeing from poverty: hence are they a mouthful for (a prey to) covetousness and expectation.

The fear of poverty is like that (man’s) terror: know thou that covetousness and striving are (like) India (in this tale).

He (Solomon) commanded the wind to bear him quickly over the water to the uttermost part of India.

Next day, at the time of conference and meeting, Solomon said to Azrael: “Didst thou look with anger on that Muslim in order that he might wander (as an exile) far from his home?”

Azrael said, “When did I look (on him) angrily? I saw him as I passed by, (and looked at him) in astonishment,

For God had commanded me, saying, ‘Hark, to-day do thou take his spirit in India.’ From wonder I said (to myself), ‘(Even) if he has a hundred wings, ’tis a far journey for him to be in India (to-day).’”

In like manner judge of all the affairs of this world and open your eye and see! From whom shall we flee? From ourselves? Oh, absurdity! From whom shall we take (ourselves) away? From God? Oh, crime!

Translation from the Persian by Reynold A. Nicholson in the early 20th century