Shaykh Abdur-Razaaq al-Badr hafidaho-Allah gave an example of the scenario. If someone asked you did you see so-and-so and there was great danger in saying yes, then you could respond by saying:

ما رايته

instead of

ما رأيته

They both sound similar. However one means “I didn’t see him” and the other means “I didn’t hit him in his lungs”.

I heard an audio from ash-Shaykh Uthaymeen, may Allaah have mercy upon him, when he was giving examples of this topic, where he rahimahullah said:

“If you are busy at home while someone comes to your door and you are too busy to accept guests at the time, then send your wife to the door to tell the person at the door that you are not here. And that which is intended is that you were not there in that specific room [and not the whole house]. However the person at the front door thinks that you are not there at all.” End translation. [Audio entitled “A question on the ruling of at-Tawriyah”]

Also ash-Shaykh Uthaimeen was asked if one were to call asking for one’s father.  Then here the son says [if needed that] “he fell asleep” while [in reality] he [the son] intends that he slept before but however at that exact moment he is awake.

So, the Shaykh said:

“Maybe he wants to relax or do something of the same nature. This is [permissible] because there is a benefit/wisdom in such an action. End translation. [Al-kanzu ath thameen, Page: 175, Print: Daarul at-Tadmuriyah]

However, generally a person would not resort to the likes of these affairs except in tough circumstances.

Translated and mentioned by

AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr