Humbled

Last night I was on my way back from the local Indian store where I had picked up a couple of gallons of milk. A man unknown to me declared "Asalaamualaikum" as he walked by me. And me, being a Muslim, responded very happilly, "Walaikumsalaam." As we departed and went to our respective destinations, I heard a voice calling me back. The man approached me in a very humble manner. Before he even spoke, I could see the world of worries and difficulties in his eyes. He began speaking in Urdu and asked me for advice. It was obvious that he was not happy and felt disconnected from Allah. He said he had seen me before playing cricket with his younger brothers and had wanted to talk to for a while. He stated, "I see the Nur in your face." Nur = light. As he spoke, I reflected on my day and life and was convinced this man has mistaken. Although light is there, my life is constantly barraged with darkness. The man himself was 38 years old. I did not know what to tell him. I knew there was something else bothering him. After all, to approach someone 16 years younger than you takes a lot of courage. I told him all the general things. Spend time in the company of good people, continue praying... However, I knew it was not satisfying him. His pain was so deep, that he eventually opened his entire life for me to see. He told me that he has been in the country for 15 years. He said, Alhamdulillah, I never had a girlfriend, and in general I have stayed away from haraam things. I do my prayers, and cry to Allah for help, but all this worry in my life does not go away. As we kept speaking, I became aware that he does not have a green card and is still unmarried. In fact, he told me that he had borrowed money from his mother for a metrocard. He spend all day looking for work. He went as far a Long Island. And then, out of frustration, he began telling how he was a #1 student in Lahore back in the day. His father worked for PIA and brought his entire family here. His brothers are now legal and have green cards. He thanked Allah for this but you almost read his mind saying 'what have done to earn this?.' 'why me?' He was so disrought that he somewhat confessed to me that he drinks once in a while. He looked around. There I was, with the two gallons of milk in my hands. It was drizzling as it had been almost all day. He pointed to this rain as a blessing and sign that this could be the day that his life changed for the better. I tried my best to encourage him and tell him to hang in there. He requested that I do not speak about this talk with his younger brothers. He thanked me and apologized for taking my time. Rather, I should be the one who is thankful. Allah used him to humble me. Sure, my life will go on and will not be consumed by this man's worries. However, he like everyone is a precious soul. The least I can is pray for him and seek him once in a while to see how he's doing. It was obvious that he was lonely. And with a community of our size, no Muslim and further no New Yorker should be lonely. If you by chance read this post, I humbly request that you throw in a dua for myself and the brother I met. PEACE