What is the ruling on a man lying to his wife, and vice versa?

Question:
Also, Ahmad Mahmoud from Sudan asks: Is it permissible for a husband to lie to his wife in certain marital matters in which he sees benefit for his marital life?

Answer:
There is no blame on a man for lying to his wife in matters that benefit them both, where there is good for everyone and no harm extends to anyone; there is nothing wrong with that. Likewise, a wife may lie to her husband in what increases love and clears the atmosphere between them. All of this is without blame, provided that the lie from one to the other does not harm any person, but is confined to them and their interests; there is nothing wrong with that.
It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he granted a dispensation for lying between spouses in matters concerning only them. Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of 'Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt, said, "I did not hear the Prophet (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) grant a dispensation for anything regarding lying except in three cases: in war, in reconciliation between people, and in a man's speech to his wife and a woman's speech to her husband." There is no blame in lying in reconciliation between people, in war, and in what concerns a man's speech with his wife and a woman's speech with her husband, in what improves their affairs. Yes.