The Honest Trader

In the bustling markets of ancient Makkah, one young man stood out—not by shouting the loudest, but by being the most honest. In this heartfelt episode, Zaki and Suhail take us into the story of how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ earned the title Al-Amin—The Trustworthy—long before he became a prophet. With playful banter, moral tests, and a visit from someone very special (hint: her name is Khadijah!), this story shows that true greatness begins with honesty. Even when no one’s looking.

What is Amazing Stories with Zaki the Hoopoe?

Introducing "Amazing Stories with Zaki the Hoopoe!" 🎉

Get ready for a storytelling adventure that’s not just for kids, but for the whole family—including parents! Zaki, the lively and clever hoopoe bird, invites everyone to explore the wonders of ancient tales, where prophets, brave animals, and magical moments come to life. 🌟 Tailored for kids aged 5-8, but with plenty of fun, humor, and fascinating lessons to keep parents entertained, too!

Zaki's adventures take you to deserts, seas, and enchanted forests, where you’ll meet the brave ant that stood up to Prophet Sulaiman 🐜, Prophet Ibrahim standing up against the evil King Nimrod, Prophet Nuh and his legendary Ark, and many more legendary Prophets. With a sprinkle of jokes, interactive questions, and exciting sound effects, each episode is an engaging experience for all ages!

Parents, you’ll love the way Zaki weaves timeless lessons with humor and charm, making this the perfect family bonding time. Whether in the car, during bedtime, or just for fun, Amazing Stories with Zaki is your go-to source for entertaining, educational stories that spark curiosity and values in kids—and even surprise grown-ups!

So, gather around, sit back, and let Zaki take you on a magical journey that everyone will enjoy. Ready? Let’s fly into adventure! ✨

Zaki: 00:02

Captain Sohail, emergency code crumb. My pomegranate seed muffin is missing.

Captain Suhail: 00:07

Blimey, Zaki. Not this again.

Zaki: 00:11

Yes. Well, this time I know it's gone, vanished, disappeared without a trace, except for the trail of suspicious crumbs leading directly to your face.

Captain Suhail: 00:22

Are you accusing me, a decorated captain of the salt wind sky fleet and protector of Pelican ports of pilfering your pastry.

Zaki: 00:31

Then explain the pomegranate seed on your beak and the muffin wrapper tucked under your left wing.

Captain Suhail: 00:37

Camouflage, tactical concealment, part of my top secret muffin tracking drills. Highly classified.

Zaki: 00:46

Uh-huh. And the crumbs in your mustache? Also tactical?

Captain Suhail: 00:49

Okay. Okay. Maybe I borrowed it temporarily for inspection to ensure it was safe for consumption. I was protecting you, Zaki. That muffin looked unstable.

Zaki: 01:04

It was a seed muffin, captain Sohail, not a sea mine.

Captain Suhail: 01:08

I panicked. It smelled like cinnamon and trust issues.

Zaki: 01:12

That muffin was from Auntie Saffiya's nest baked batch. Do you know what that means? She only bakes them when

Captain Suhail: 01:19

the hibiscus blooms. Once a year, they're sacred. So that would explain the sparkles in the crust and the heavenly aftertaste. It's not just about muffins, Captain Sohail. It's about trust.

Zaki: 01:34

When you say you didn't do something, I want to believe you. Not sniff your breath to double check.

Captain Suhail: 01:39

I admit it. I cracked. The smell lured me in. But it won't happen again. Next time I'll I'll label the theft.

Captain Suhail: 01:49

Put a little apology note.

Zaki: 01:52

Captain Sohail. Trust isn't built with apology notes. It's built with choices, honest ones, even when no one's watching.

Captain Suhail: 02:00

So what you're saying is the next muffin I steal, I should ask first.

Zaki: 02:07

No, Captain Sohail. That's literally the opposite of what

Captain Suhail: 02:10

I said. A reputation for trustworthiness. I bet it feels warm, like sitting on a fresh pie crust.

Zaki: 02:21

Meraj Digital presents The Amazing Stories with Zaki the Hoopoe. Season two episode seven. The Honest Trader.

Zaki: 02:38

Salam, my spectacular listeners. It's me, Zaki the Hoopoe, your favorite feathered storyteller, and oh, do I have a gem of a tale for you today.

Zaki: 02:49

It's got dusty markets, glittering coins, and something even shinier. Trust.

Captain Suhail: 02:56

And possibly muffins. Yes. Please say there are muffins in this one for historical accuracy.

Zaki: 03:05

No muffins, captain Sohail. But there is a very special man, a young man who became known by a name so powerful, people trusted him with their most precious belongings.

Captain Suhail: 03:16

Was it Captain Muffin Whiskers, the trustworthy?

Zaki: 03:20

Not quite. They called him Al Amin. It means the trustworthy. That was the nickname given to none other than our beloved prophet Muhammad. Peace and blessings be upon him.

Captain Suhail: 03:32

A whole episode about honesty seems risky. The truth can be a slippery fish, Zaki.

Zaki: 03:40

Maybe. But that's why it matters. Today's story is about how young Muhammad, peace be upon him, built a reputation so strong, so shining, so rock solid, that people from all over Mak'a came to trust him more than gold. So, my dear listeners, fluff up your feathers, open your hearts, and get ready to soar through the souks and sandy streets of ancient Makkah. Picture it, Makkah, before Islam.

Zaki: 04:12

The sun rising over its rocky hills, painting the stone homes in a golden glow. The narrow streets twist like desert snakes. And at the center of it all, the market. Oh, the market. Dates piled like treasure, cloths dyed in blues and reds fluttering in the breeze, the smell of cardamom and sizzling meat.

Captain Suhail: 04:35

It made your beak twitch. The roasted almonds, the cinnamon figs, the fried locusts on a stick. Wait, that last one's just me. Ignoring that, everyone came here.

Zaki: 04:48

Traders from Syria, Yemen, Abyssinia. Some were honest, many weren't. But among the noise and deals one young man didn't shout, didn't trick, didn't beg for attention, he just stood by his small stall with a gentle smile and calm eyes. That young man was Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. One day, a wealthy trader approached him.

Zaki: 05:12

A sly one. Big beard, even bigger ego. He placed a bag of dates on the scale. Give me 2 silver coins, the man said, and I'll let you take this fine bag. Finest dates in the market.

Zaki: 05:26

Muhammad, peace be upon him, picked up a date and examined it. The top layer was fresh, but underneath, moldy, squished and sour. He looked at the man and said, it is not from the way of Allah to deceive, A trader should be honest in what he offers. And just like that, he walked away. Wait, he didn't argue or yell, didn't call

Captain Suhail: 05:49

the market guards or yell scam alert.

Zaki: 05:51

Nope. Just told the truth. And people saw. A young boy watching whispered to his father, That's Al Amin, isn't it? And his father nodded.

Zaki: 06:03

Yes, that's the one you can trust with anything. And guess what? Someone very important was listening, not just anyone. A woman of wisdom, strength, and incredible heart. Her name was Khadija.

Zaki: 06:18

Now Khadija wasn't just wealthy, oh no. She was one of the most respected business leaders in all of Makkah. She ran her own trade caravans, made smart deals across deserts and seas, and

Captain Suhail: 06:30

people called her the Pure One, Tahira, because of her noble character. A woman running an entire trade in empire back then?

Zaki: 06:40

Exactly. She didn't just succeed, she led with kindness, fairness, and courage. She didn't lie. She didn't cheat. She didn't step on others to climb higher.

Zaki: 06:53

In a world where many thought women should stay silent, Khadija's voice shaped trade routes. And what she heard about Muhammad, peace be upon him, was different from every other merchant in the market. No showmanship, no shouting, just trust and truth. So she made a decision. She sent someone, her loyal servant Meisara, to speak with him, not just to praise him, but to offer something incredible.

Zaki: 07:22

A job. A partnership on her next trade journey. The name Al Amin was spreading, whispered like a breeze through the alleys of Mecca. But even the most trusted hearts face tests, And for Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, that test came in the form of a heavy bag of gold. A wealthy merchant from out of town came to buy goods.

Zaki: 07:51

He handed Muhammad a bag of coins, far more than the price of the items. When Muhammad realized the overpayment, he could have stayed quiet. No one else noticed. The merchant had already walked away. He ran after the man, threw a crowd down winding streets, until he found him again.

Zaki: 08:10

And when he gave the extra coins back, the man stared at him in awe. No one else would have done this, he said. You are truly Al Amin. People nearby heard what happened, and one of them was May Sarah. He had been watching Muhammad for days, and now he had seen enough.

Zaki: 08:28

Enough for what? Enough to recommend him, to hire him for a very important business journey. Khadija, the noble merchant, wanted someone she could trust with her caravan, and Mysara said there was no one better than Al Amin.

Captain Suhail: 08:49

Which is interesting. Because speaking of jobs and honesty, Captain Sohail, weren't you in charge of guarding my emergency seed stash? Define guard. Captain Sohail. I was merely monitoring the seeds, making sure they were You half of them, didn't you?

Captain Suhail: 09:10

Technically not eight. Sampled for safety. Honest.

Zaki: 09:16

You see, trust isn't just about words. It's about what you do when no one's watching. Because what Muhammad showed us is that true honesty builds something stronger than money. It builds hearts that believe in you. The sun was just rising over Makkah when the caravan returned.

Zaki: 09:45

Dust clung to the camel's hooves. The traders were tired, but Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, walked with quiet calm, like someone who had done what was right. Even when no one would have known if he didn't. But Muhammad, peace be upon him, wasn't doing it for praise. Every deal he made, every coin he counted, he did with honesty, because it was the right thing to do.

Zaki: 10:11

That's what made him special. When they returned, Meisara rushed to Khadija, not just to tell her about the prophets, but to tell her about the man, about how he never raised his voice, never took more than he deserved, how people in faraway towns, strangers, instantly trusted him. How he looked up at the sky before every trade and whispered, Oh Allah, let this be fair. And Khadija. She listened, every word touched her heart.

Zaki: 10:44

And in that moment, changed. She realized that she wasn't just dealing with a merchant. She had met someone whose character was worth more than any treasure she'd ever traded. That's when Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him, truly earned the name Al Amin. Not just because people said it, but because his actions made it real.

Captain Suhail: 11:06

You know, Zaki, I thought being trustworthy was just about not stealing stuff, but it's more than that, isn't it?

Zaki: 11:15

So much more. It's being honest when no one's looking, keeping promises, doing the right thing even if it's harder, especially if it's harder.

Captain Suhail: 11:25

That's tough. I mean, I tried to guard your seed stash, but then I tasted one, and then two. Then it was just me and a pile of guilt and sunflower shells.

Zaki: 11:38

But the fact that you feel that guilt means your heart's still flying in the right direction. Wanna try again?

Captain Suhail: 11:44

Zucky, from this day forward, I, captain Sohail of the salty skies, vow to be as trustworthy as a turtle with a diary, honest as a pelican with receipts, loyal as a Okay. Okay. Easy there, Al Seagull. Let's just start with don't eat what's not yours. Done.

Captain Suhail: 12:05

And from now on, I keep muffins in a box marked not captain so hails. That's growth, right?

Zaki: 12:12

That's a start, my friend, and you know what they say: the path to trustworthiness begins with one honest choice. My dear friends, wasn't that amazing? We started with a quiet young man in a noisy market, and ended with a heart so trustworthy, it changed the course of history. Prophet Muhammad was called Al Amin not because he had fancy clothes or the loudest voice, but because he was honest when it mattered most. He was fair in business, kind in speech, and always told the truth, even when no one was watching.

Zaki: 12:52

That's something all of us can do, no matter how small we are. Every time you return something that's not yours. Every time you tell the truth, even if it's hard, you're building something stronger than muscles or money. You're building trust. And just like the prophet, peace be upon him, your honesty can light up the people around you, your family, your friends, even your whole school.

Captain Suhail: 13:18

I've turned a new feather, my friend. In fact, from now on, I keep all my snacks in a locked chest with a note. Do not eat. Captain Sohail's conscience lives here.

Zaki: 13:31

Well, let's hope your conscience gets a roommate. Common sense.

Captain Suhail: 13:35

Why I ought to

Zaki: 13:36

But we're just getting started, adventurers. Because in the next episode, something beautiful happens. The powerful, wise woman, Khadija, sees not just a traitor, but a man of truth and honor. And do you know what she does?

Captain Suhail: 13:54

Offers him free muffins for life.

Zaki: 13:57

No, Captain Sohail. Join us next time as we tell the story of a marriage unlike any other, built on faith, respect, and the kind of love that shaped all of history. Sounds kinda beautiful, actually. It is. So until next time, keep your hearts honest, your hands clean, and your muffins clearly labeled.

Zaki: 14:40

Www.meraj.digital.

Captain Suhail: 14:44

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