Life is very unpredictable. We never know what might happen in the next moment. I had heard people say this many times, but on June 10, 2026, I experienced it myself and realised these are not just sayings, they are reality.
It was my university’s summer break and, like most students on holiday, I had been sleeping and waking up late. The night before, I stayed up talking to a friend, completely unaware that the next morning would become one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.
I was sleeping peacefully when I suddenly heard strange noises. As I opened my eyes, I froze. Four masked robbers were standing in my bedroom with guns in their hands.
For a moment, I thought I was having a nightmare. But when they tied my hands and those of my family, covered our faces with cloth and held guns to our heads, I realised this was no dream. I truly believed we were living the last moments of our lives.
Even today, while writing this article, every moment comes back before my eyes. Seeing death so closely changed the way I look at life. It made me realise how quickly everything we consider important can lose its value.
While we were tied up and unable to move, none of us was thinking about our cash, jewellery or other belongings. Our only prayer was that we would survive and see one another again.
The robbers looted our entire house and took away almost everything of value, but by the grace of God, they spared our lives. Looking back, my family and I are not saddened by the loss of those material things because they can be earned again. A lost life, however, can never be brought back, no matter how much money a person has.
That terrifying experience also taught me something very important: never resist armed robbers. No amount of money or jewellery is worth risking your life for. In such situations, staying alive is far more important than protecting your possessions.
Many people spend their lives collecting wealth and proudly showing off what they own. But incidents such as robberies, earthquakes, floods or accidents can take those possessions away in an instant. Material things are temporary, while our lives and relationships are priceless.
Since that day, I have also started believing even more strongly in the importance of doing good deeds. I often wonder whether it was my good deeds, or perhaps those of one of my family members, that brought God’s mercy upon us. Surviving such a terrifying ordeal together felt nothing less than a miracle.
Helping others does not always mean giving money. Sometimes listening patiently to someone who is sad, encouraging a person going through difficulties or offering a helping hand can also be an act of kindness. It is not only people who deserve our kindness. Animals, birds and even plants are also God’s creation.
My father, for example, has many plants on our roof. No matter how tired or unwell he is, he never forgets to water them. Those plants cannot speak, but they are living beings. Sometimes I wonder whether even small acts of kindness, which we often overlook, become a source of blessings when we need them the most. That is why I believe we should never miss an opportunity to do a good deed, no matter how small it may seem.
This incident also made me realise how uncertain life is. Many people spend all their time earning money, saying they are working for their family’s future. But who knows what tomorrow brings?
The Taj Mahal is admired by millions of people around the world, yet Mumtaz Mahal, for whom Shah Jahan built it, never lived to see it. Every day we hear news of families who leave home for a holiday or a simple journey, only to meet with an accident that changes everything within moments.
After experiencing such a terrifying incident myself, I have learnt not to postpone the important things in life. Spend time with your loved ones while you can. If someone is upset with you, don’t delay apologising because tomorrow is never guaranteed. Remove hatred from your heart and value the people around you before it is too late.
I also believe that God puts people through different trials to test them. Such experiences are painful, but they teach us lessons that we might never learn otherwise. This incident completely changed the way I think about life, and the reality I discovered is what I wanted to share with all of you.
My message to everyone is simple: value your life and the lives of your loved ones more than anything else. Take your safety seriously. Always keep your house secure and remain vigilant. In our case, our maid was involved in the robbery. No matter how long someone has worked for you, it is important to be careful and not trust anyone blindly.
Life is precious, and we never know what tomorrow holds. Cherish your loved ones, do good whenever you can and never take another day for granted.
Published in Dawn, Young World, August 8th, 2026
