Deceiving but not lying to parents

I am now about to graduate from college, but my parents still worry over many small details of my life. They ask about everything. To prevent them from worrying about many of the things that I can take care of myself, is it all right to tell them half truths and similar deceptive answers? I wouldn't be lying but my parents wouldn't know the truth either.

All praise is to Allah. Blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.

You should first consider having a respectful but open conversation with your parents to get them to understand your situation, in which case you will not need to resort to half-truths. While it may seem annoying at times, keep in mind that it is only because they love you a great deal that they try to be so closely involved.

Telling half-truths is permissible under the following
conditions:
1 - there is a legitimate reason for doing so If there is no legitimate (under the shari`ah) reason, then it is not permissible. [Ibn `Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar 9/613.]
2 - the 'hidden' true meaning is not too far fetched
3 - the statement does not lead to someone else suffering injustice or losing one of their rights.
4 - one does not swear to the half-truth in the name of Allah [Ibn Muflih, al-Adab al-Shar`iyyah]

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and his Household and grant them peace) is reported to have used half-truths when making jokes. The legitimate reason in these cases (as observed by Imam al-Ghazzali) was to gladden the hearts of others, without lying and without doing injustice to anyone. A Sahabi woman, Umm Sulaym, used a half-truth to spare some grief to Abu Talhah her husband (may Allah be pleased with them both). When Abu Talhah returned home at night, he asked about his son, who had been sick, and Umm Sulaymn replied, "He is the quietest he has been." Then, after Abu Talhah had eaten dinner and relaxed, she broke the news to him. [Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore, it would be excusable for you to tell half-truths to your parents if the four conditions (listed earlier) are satisfied, and if your intention is to save them from unnecessary worry. However, you should keep a watch on yourself, and only use this when it is absolutely necessary. Telling half-truths should not become a habit, for it can easily lead to telling outright lies. It can also make your mind devious, and conceited with the skill you develop in hiding the reality of things. And, if the actual truth does come out, then people will lose trust in you.

And Allah knows best.

-Suheil Laher