ألا رُبَّ عِرضِ امرِىء مُسلِمٍ

ألا رُبَّ عِرضِ امرِىء مُسلِمٍ

بِغَيرِ لِسانِكَ لم يُستَبَح

بِغَيرِ لِسانِكَ لم يُستَبَح

Behold, many a Muslim man's honor

Alas, how many a reputation of a Muslim man

Has been violated by no tongue but yours.

Has been violated without your tongue

إِذا كُنتَ في النَّاسِ ذا غِيبَةٍ

إِذا كُنتَ في النَّاسِ ذا غِيبَةٍ

تُبِيحُ بِهَا مُنكَراً لم يُبَح

تُبِيحُ بِهَا مُنكَراً لم يُبَح

If, among people, you are given to backbiting,

When you are amongst people with hidden thoughts

Making lawful through it an evil never permitted,

Permitting with it forbidden undeserved acts

فَلستَ بِأَوَّلِ ذِئبٍ عَوَى

فَلستَ بِأَوَّلِ ذِئبٍ عَوَى

ولَستَ بِأَوَّلِ كَلبٍ نَبَح

ولَستَ بِأَوَّلِ كَلبٍ نَبَح

Then you are not the first wolf to howl,

You are not the first wolf to howl

Nor are you the first dog to bark.

Nor the first dog to bark