Is it permissible to have sexual intercourse with one's wife while there are disputes that could lead to divorce, and the separation of the spouses without divorce?

If a couple is separated without a divorce, the wife is still under the husband's authority, and whatever is permissible for a husband with his wife is permissible for him with her, including sexual intercourse. The legal separation does not prevent him from enjoying her. However, it is religiously condemned for a man to beat his wife and then have intercourse with her, as the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "How does any of you beat his wife like a stallion, and then perhaps he embraces her?" Intercourse is desirable when there is a natural inclination and desire, and the one who has been flogged usually recoils from the one who flogged him.