Is it permissible to lie to avert harm, such as informing a student of a different total grade to avoid envy or the evil eye, and what are the situations in which lying is permissible?

Lying is forbidden, but it is not forbidden in and of itself; rather, it is due to the corrupting consequences that result from it. If lying will lead to averting a greater harm or achieving a greater benefit, then it is permissible, and it may even become obligatory. Examples of this include lying to reconcile people, for a wife, in war, and when hiding a Muslim from an oppressor who intends to kill him. Nevertheless, one should be cautious about lying as much as possible, as the general rule is prohibition unless there is a necessity or an important need. Using equivocation (tawriya) and allusions (ma'areedh) is preferable to lying if they can serve as an alternative. As for informing a student of a grade different from their actual one for fear of the evil eye or envy, this is not a necessity that permits lying. One should rely on Allah, and if using allusions is possible, it is preferable.