Is playful hitting between spouses considered forbidden if it causes harm to one of the parties?

It is not permissible to joke in a way that involves harming or striking the wife. Striking is only permitted in cases of insubordination (nushooz) and provided it is not severe, as stated in the Almighty's saying: (وَاللَّاتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا) "And those [wives] from whom you fear insubordination - first advise them; then, if they persist, forsake them in bed; and finally, strike them. But if they obey you [afterward], seek no means of annoyance against them." And the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Then strike them, but not severely." Furthermore, harmful joking contradicts the commandment to treat wives with kindness, as enjoined in the Almighty's saying: (وَعَاشِرُوهُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ) "And live with them in kindness."