What is the ruling on one who had intercourse with his wife during the daytime in Ramadan due to his long absence from her, knowing the ruling of its prohibition, but ignorant of the severity of the expiation (freeing a slave), while being able to pay it?

If a man has intercourse with his wife during the daytime in Ramadan (definition), knowing it is forbidden but ignorant of the expiation (kaffarah (definition)), the major expiation (al-kaffarah al-kubra) is obligatory upon him, along with repentance. This expiation, according to the majority of scholars, is in sequential order: freeing a slave; if that is not possible, then fasting for two consecutive months; if he is unable to fast due to an incapacity that is unlikely to be removed, then feeding sixty poor people. The Malikis, however, hold that there is a choice among these options, and that feeding is preferable.