Is lying permissible in certain matters?

Question:
This person is asking whether lying is permissible in certain matters?

Answer:
Lying is forbidden and is one of the major sins. It is not permissible except in three cases for a stronger benefit. The first case is between spouses, where one lies to the other for the sake of maintaining the relationship, for the sake of keeping the relationship intact.
The second case is lying for the sake of reconciling people, for the sake of reconciling people. You see people in dispute with a misunderstanding between them, so you go to one of them and say, "So-and-so loves you and speaks well of you, and he wants you to reconcile with him." And you go to the other and do the same until you bring them together. This is lying for the sake of benefit, and the benefit in it is stronger.
The third case is lying in war, lying in war with the enemy, because war is deception, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. And other than these three matters, lying is not permissible.