Must a woman defend herself when an attempt is made to rape her, and is it permissible for her to use a weapon for that purpose?

A woman coerced into fornication must defend herself, even if it means killing the person who intends to commit the act, and there is no sin upon her if she kills him; for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever is killed defending his family is a martyr." If the woman is unable to defend herself and the transgressor overpowers her, there is no prescribed punishment (hadd) or discretionary punishment (ta'zir) upon her; rather, the prescribed punishment is upon the aggressor. A woman defending herself and preserving her honor from fornication takes precedence over a man defending his property, so if she is able to defend herself, it becomes obligatory upon her to do so. If a woman is forced into fornication due to fear of perishing from hunger or thirst, there is no prescribed punishment upon her.