Is it permissible to purchase a free woman who has sold herself into slavery, and likewise, to purchase a woman who has been kidnapped and enslaved by a gang?

It is not permissible for a Muslim to buy or sell a free person, even if the free person agrees to it, because Islam has forbidden the selling of a free person and made it one of the major sins. This is indicated by the words of Allah Almighty: "There are three whose opponent I will be on the Day of Resurrection: a man who gave a promise in My Name then broke it, a man who sold a free person and consumed his price, and a man who hired a laborer and received full service from him but did not give him his wages."

As for buying a free woman who has been kidnapped by a gang to be enslaved, this is even more forbidden and a greater crime, because it is cooperating in sin and aggression. Allah Almighty said: "And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." Just as it is not permissible to buy stolen money, it is even more so not permissible to buy a free human being whom Allah Almighty has honored.

The duty of a Muslim in this situation is to hasten to free and rescue the enslaved person if able. The prohibition of buying and selling a free person is the consensus of all Muslims.