Is sexual intercourse permissible for one experiencing intense arousal while fasting, if the arousal can be alleviated without coitus?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Fasting
Primary text
Intercourse is not permitted if the intense arousal can be averted by means other than coitus, such as masturbation by one's hand, or by the hand of one's wife or concubine. This is because the breaking of the fast is permitted only due to necessity, and therefore, one is not permitted to go beyond what is necessary to remove the necessity, analogous to eating carrion only to the extent required for survival. If intercourse occurs, expiation (Kaffarah) is incumbent.
Supporting text
It is likewise impermissible if the need can be addressed by an act that does not invalidate the fast of another, such as intercourse with a young wife or concubine, or a minor female captive, or non-penetrative contact with an adult Muslim woman, or masturbation using her hand or one's own hand, because once the necessity is removed, anything beyond that is prohibited, similar to being satiated from eating carrion when mere subsistence was required.