When Abu Bakr became a Muslim in 610, Abu Quhafa remained a pagan. It is said that Quran was written in response: "You will not find a people who believe in Allah and the Last Day having affection for those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred..." When Abu Bakr ransomed Muslim slaves who were being persecuted in 613614, Abu Quhafa said to him: "My son, I see that you are freeing weak slaves. If you want to do what you are doing, why don’t you free powerful men who could defend you and protect you?" But Abu Bakr replied: "I am only trying to do what I am attempting for Allah’s sake."<ref name="Guillaume/Ishaq"/>