Amazing Stories with Zaki the Hoopoe

Join Zaki the Hoopoe in this heartwarming and dramatic tale of ultimate faith, trust, and sacrifice! In this episode of Amazing Stories with Zaki the Hoopoe, we dive into the powerful story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his brave son, Prophet Ismail (Ishmael). Discover how their unwavering trust in Allah and their love for each other transformed a seemingly impossible test into a timeless lesson.
Perfect for kids and parents alike, this episode blends humor, emotion, and interactive storytelling to bring this Islamic story to life. With vivid descriptions, playful asides, and a heartfelt message, it’s a podcast episode you don’t want to miss!
Explore themes of obedience, courage, and divine mercy as we reveal the moment when Allah replaced the sacrifice with a ram and blessed Ibrahim and Ismail for their steadfastness. Plus, hear Zaki’s witty take on what sacrifice means for kids today (hint: sharing your last cookie might be involved!).
Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next adventure—Zaki teases an exciting tale about Prophet Dawud (David) and a certain giant!

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 🐜, the trustworthy camel of Prophet Muhammad 🐫, and many more legendary characters. 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:

Sacrifice, such a big important word. But what does it actually mean? Is it giving something up, or is it about doing something for someone else? I bet prophet Ishmael knows. He's the kind of guy who'd have this all figured out.

Zaki:

Take this pebble for example. Found it by the river. It's my favorite one. So smooth, so shiny, so pebbly. Would giving this up count as a sacrifice?

Zaki:

But why would I do that? It's mine. Or maybe it's about worms. Like, what if I found the juiciest plumpest worm and gave it to another bird instead of eating it myself? That'd be pretty generous, but then I'd be hungry.

Zaki:

So would that really be a good idea? Oh, hello there, little one. You look hungry. Here, you can have my lunch. Anyway, back to sacrifices.

Zaki:

They've gotta be something big. Right? Something really hard to give up, or does it? I should definitely be willing to sacrifice more to help other people. Oh, man.

Zaki:

All this thinking has got me hungry. Still, I'd better go find prophet Ibrahim and Ismail. They'll know what a real sacrifice looks like. Come on, Zucky. Time to flap.

Zaki:

Meraj Digital presents the amazing stories with Zaki the Hoopoe.

Zaki:

Episode 11, prophet Ibrahim and the sacrifice.

Zaki:

My incredible friends. It's me, Zaki, your favorite storytelling hoopoe bird. Oh, I've missed you all.

Zaki:

Did you know today's story is one of my all time favorites? Yep. It's about love, trust, and hold on to your feathers, sacrifice. Sounds big, doesn't it? Oh, it is.

Zaki:

Here's a little hint. The story involves a brave father, an even braver son, and a moment so powerful it makes me get teary eyed every time I tell it. Parents, you might wanna keep a tissue handy for this one. You'll thank me later. Today, we're going to meet prophet Ibrahim and his son, prophet Ismael.

Zaki:

2 incredible people who showed what it truly means to trust Allah and love each other deeply. Oh, and for you kids out there, get ready to imagine an adventure with twists, turns, and so much heart. Let's flap our wings and fly into the story. A long time ago in a quiet desert, there lived a kind and faithful man named Ibrahim. You might remember him from some of our earlier stories.

Zaki:

Ibrahim had been through so many tests from Allah, but this one, oh, this one was different. You see, Ibrahim had waited for years years to have a child. Can you imagine waiting for something so long? Parents, maybe you know what I mean. A child can change your whole world.

Zaki:

And when little Ismail was born, Ibrahim's heart felt like it could burst with joy. Now kids, imagine this, a father who always tells the best stories, who smiles every time you laugh, and who loves you more than all the stars in the sky. That's how Ibrahim felt about his little boy. Ismail wasn't just any child, he was special. And as he grew, he was kind, smart, and oh so brave.

Zaki:

But one day, something incredible and very difficult happened. Allah sent a message to Ibrahim in a dream. In the dream, Allah told him to do something Ibrahim could barely believe. He was to sacrifice his beloved son, Ishmael. Can you imagine the fear, the confusion, the heartbreak?

Zaki:

This wasn't just a regular test. It was the ultimate test of faith. Ibrahim didn't understand why, but he knew one thing. Allah's wisdom is always greater than ours. Even though his heart ached, he decided to obey.

Zaki:

Parents, I know what you're thinking. I can barely let my kid go to sleepovers without worrying about them. And Ibrahim was asked to do this. Let's just say his trust in Allah was unshakable. Now before we move on, let's take a moment to talk about something important, sacrifice.

Zaki:

You might be wondering, what does that big word mean? Well, a sacrifice is when we give up something we really love or care about for something even more important. It's like sharing your favorite toy with a friend even if you wanna keep playing with it yourself because you know it'll make them happy. Imagine this. You've got the last cookie, and it's the biggest, yummiest cookie you've ever seen.

Zaki:

But then, you notice your little brother or sister looking at it with those big hopeful eyes. What do you do? You give it to them. Right? That's a little sacrifice.

Zaki:

You're giving up the cookie for your little brother or sister whom you love. And for grown ups, sacrifices can be much bigger, like working hard every day to take care of their family or giving up something they want to make sure you have what you need. Ibrahim's sacrifice was even greater. He was willing to give up what he loved most in the world because he trusted Allah and knew there was a bigger plan. Sacrifice is one of the most beautiful ways we show love, kindness, and trust.

Zaki:

Whether it's sharing your toys, helping someone in need, or listening to what's right, a little bit of sacrifice can make the world a better place. So remember, big or small sacrifices always mean something special. And now that we know what sacrifice means, let's see what happened when Ibrahim told his son, Ishmael, about Allah's command. Ibrahim called Ishmael to him. Imagine this, a young boy no older than some of you listening right now.

Zaki:

Ibrahim looked into his son's bright trusting eyes and said, my dearest son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice you. What do you think? And do you know what Ishmael said? He smiled. Yes.

Zaki:

Smiled and replied, oh, my father, do as you have been commanded. You will find me if Allah wills to be among the patient. Can you believe that? If I were Ismael, I'd be like, dad, are you sure about this? But Ismael was no ordinary kid.

Zaki:

He trusted Allah and his father completely. The day came. Ibrahim and Ishmael walked together to a quiet place. Ibrahim's hands shook as he prepared for Allah had asked of him. He prayed for strength.

Zaki:

Ismail being the brave and wise boy he was, looked at his father with love and said, father, put a blindfold over your eyes so it will be easier for you and make sure you do what Allah has commanded without hesitation. Ibrahim holding the knife in his trembling hand nodded. His heart felt heavy, but his faith was unshakable. So with tears streaming down his face, Ibrahim tied the blindfold over his eyes. He whispered a prayer to Allah and placed the knife against his beloved son's neck.

Zaki:

In that moment with his entire being, he submitted to Allah's will, and he made the motion. And when he removed the blindfold, what did he see? Not Ismail lying there, but a ram placed by Allah in his son's place. Ismail stood safely to the side unharmed, his face shining with faith and love. Allah had accepted their submission and replaced the test with a greater reward.

Zaki:

Then a voice called out to Ibrahim, you have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, we reward the doers of good. Indeed, this was the clear trial and we ransom this deed with a greater sacrifice. Peace be upon Ibrahim. What an incredible moment.

Zaki:

Ibrahim thought he had lost his son. But Allah showed him that true faith never goes unnoticed. This test was never about the sacrifice itself, but about the love and trust between Ibrahim, Ismail, and Allah. Wow. Wasn't that incredible?

Zaki:

Ibrahim and Ismael showed us what it means to trust Allah with everything we have. And you know what? They also showed us how deep the love between a father and son can be. So, kids, next time your parents ask you to clean your room, remember Ismail's bravery. If he could obey such a big command, you can handle a little tidying up.

Zaki:

And parents, let's not forget the heart stopping moments that come with trusting our kids. Maybe not as dramatic as Ibrahim's test though. That's all for today, my amazing listeners. But don't fly away just yet. Next time, we'll hear the story of prophet Dawood and a certain giant.

Zaki:

What could that be about? Here's a clue. It's a real slam dunk of a story. See you soon.

Zaki:

This story was produced by Meraj Digital. Narration by Wayne Holland. Episode written, edited, and directed by Syed Kashif and Atif Hussain. For more content by Meraj Digital, please visit our site at www.Meraj.digital.

Zaki:

Content copyright and production copyright 2024 by Meraj Digital.