Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un

The above ayat is part of the Surah Al-Baqarah, and the full verse of this ayat (2:156) means "Who, when a misfortune overtakes them, say: 'Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return'."

Usually heard upon hearing the death of someone, the ayat could be recited when a person is struck by calamity or in any situations involving any risk.

Today I read a news about a well known person who was faced with a tragedy. It brought back memories when I was faced with the same situation, about almost 5 years ago. So yes, I can relate to her traumatising experience.

At about 3a.m., during a really heavy rain (and Shah Alam got flooded the next morning), 6 men armed with screw drivers (one of them pointing to my maid's face briefly) and a big gas cylinder stormed into the house. They came in from the kitchen, went into my maid's room downstairs, and then came to mine. They did not even bother to cover their faces. Rummaging our cupboards and drawers, taking away all what little belongings we had, mostly the jewellery (mine, Q's and my maid's) and the mobile phone.

Though it felt longer, it all took a mere 10 minutes.

I know Allah was with me all the time. I was quite calm (I even switched on the lights for them to make it easier) during the whole process of being burglarised, and my only du'a was that none of us in the house would be touched. You can take anything but nau'zubillahiminzalik, please do not lay hands on my very young daughter (Q was about 15 months), my maid who was in our care and of course me.

I was thankful to Allah that my husband was not around as he was away for the week. I do not want to imagine what would have happened if he was in the house.

We were left in shock when the burglars left. Called the police after about 1 hour, and then called my mother after the Subuh prayer.

Informed the office the next morning, and was given a compassionate leave (thank you Boss) to sort things out at the police station.

Truly, nothing belongs to us. And everything will return to Him when the time comes.