ألا رُبَّ عِرضِ امرِىء مُسلِمٍ

بِغَيرِ لِسانِكَ لم يُستَبَح

Alas, how many a reputation of a Muslim man

Has been violated without your tongue

إِذا كُنتَ في النَّاسِ ذا غِيبَةٍ

تُبِيحُ بِهَا مُنكَراً لم يُبَح

When you are amongst people with hidden thoughts

Permitting with it forbidden undeserved acts

فَلستَ بِأَوَّلِ ذِئبٍ عَوَى

ولَستَ بِأَوَّلِ كَلبٍ نَبَح

You are not the first wolf to howl

Nor the first dog to bark