«اِلْوِش حَاجِجْ وِالطَّبْعْ مَا تْغَيَّرْشْ»

The saying separates outward bearing from inner character; the colloquial word for "face" stands for a person's whole look. Someone may return from the pilgrimage to Mecca looking devout and reformed, yet the disposition underneath, especially a tendency to harm others, stays as it was. Religious observance or shown repentance alone is not proof of genuine change.

It is tied to an animal tale in which a predator returns from pilgrimage seemingly holy, yet its would-be prey still detects the old treachery in its gaze and escapes. The point is a warning: do not lower your guard simply because someone known for causing harm now wears a pious face.

Use it skeptically about someone whose recent show of piety or reform has not changed their harmful conduct. It suits warnings among friends or wry commentary; aimed at a specific person, especially one presenting as devout, it is pointed and can be insulting.