Malik related to me that he had heard that Fadala ibn Ubayd al-Ansari who was one of the companions of the Messenger of Allah, mayAllah bless him and grant him peace, was asked whether it waspermissible for a man who had to free a slave to free an illegitimatechild. He said, "Yes, That will give satisfaction for him."
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 38, Hadith 11
Arabic reference: Book 38, Hadith 1476