In The Presence of a Child

Guide your lips when a child is near

For children repeat the things they hear

Let no ugly tones be heard

No callous talk nor angry word

 

For it is a sin to mar the innocent

Language vulgar or unkind

Leaves its mark upon the mind

So let your speech be wise and mild

 

In the presence of a child

 

#Culled from Sheikh Sulayman Moola in “The Poetry of Imam Shafi’i”