What is permissible and impermissible for a married couple to do during fasting, whether it is obligatory or voluntary, or if only one of them is fasting? Is the prohibition limited to intercourse, or does it include foreplay and kissing?

For spouses who are observing a voluntary fast, intercourse and other intimate acts are permissible, and they are also allowed to break their voluntary fast, though it is recommended to complete it.

As for an obligatory fast (Ramadan, make-up fasts, expiations), intercourse is forbidden and breaks the fast by consensus, and it incurs expiation during the daytime in Ramadan.

Kissing and direct physical contact become forbidden if it is highly probable that ejaculation will occur with them, and they are disliked if there is a fear of it. However, if they do not arouse desire, there is no dislike in them.

It is permissible for a husband to break his wife's voluntary or vowed fast if she did not seek his permission for it, as well as her make-up fast if she began it without his permission, due to his right to enjoy her.

However, if he has given her permission for an obligatory or voluntary fast, he is not allowed to break her fast, though it is recommended for her to respond to her husband's call to the marital bed even if she is observing a voluntary fast.