Malik related to me that he had heard that al-Maqburi said thatAbu Hurayra was asked whether a man who had to free a slave, couldfree an illegitimate child to fulfil that obligation. Abu Hurayrasaid, "Yes. That will give satisfaction for him."
USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 38, Hadith 10
Arabic reference: Book 38, Hadith 1475