What is the ruling on circulating a riddle that states: "Allah (SWT) does not know it, nor has He heard of it, nor has He seen it; the Messenger has heard of it but has not seen it; kings and prominent figures, if they see it, stand for it, revere it, and honor it; and for the average person, it means nothing or is seen as something ordinary," and its solution is "the look-alike"?

A Muslim must be cautious with their tongue, for Allah the Almighty says: "Not a word does he utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it)." And it has been reported that "Most of the sins of the son of Adam are in his tongue."

A Muslim must reflect before speaking. If the speech is for him, he should speak; and if it is against him, he should refrain. An example of this is riddles that contain ill-manners towards Allah, such as suggesting that someone other than Allah knows what He does not know. This contradicts Allah's absolute knowledge, "And He is the All-Knower of everything," and His transcendence from likeness, "There is nothing like unto Him."

It is also not permissible to use an inappropriate style with the Prophet, peace be upon him, and make him the subject of riddles, due to the disrespect this entails for his status: "Do not make the calling of the Messenger among yourselves like the calling of one of you to another."

Speakers should learn proper manners with Allah and His Messenger, and engage in what benefits them, and avoid riddles that diminish the greatness of Allah or the status of the Messenger, remembering the Prophet's warning, peace be upon him: "Indeed, a servant may utter a word, not realizing what is in it, by which he will fall into Hellfire further than the distance between the East and the West."