Is it permissible for a man to appoint an agent in Mauritania to free a slave on his behalf as an expiation?

Question : Honorable Shaykh, a man has an expiation to fulfill, which is freeing a slave. He was told that there are slaves being sold in Mauritania. Is it permissible for him to appoint an agent to free a slave on his behalf there? And is the slavery existing there considered valid slavery?

Answer : A person is permitted to appoint an agent he trusts to buy a slave for him and free him, but he must clarify to the agent that he is freeing him for the expiation, so that the agent does not think it is a freeing for the sake of seeking blessing. As for the matter of these slaves mentioned by the questioner, I know nothing about them. It is obligatory for a person to verify this, because enslaving free people is among the major sins, . Therefore, verification is obligatory first. If it is established that these slaves were owned through a valid, lawful Islamic path, there is no harm in appointing someone he trusts to buy a slave for him and free it.