ABSTRACT
The Hebrew Bible articulates a notion of unique and inimitable relationship between God and the Children of Israel though the institution of covenant, a formal contractual bond. A similar notion is found in the New Testament, which expands the pool of the elect beyond the Israelites but restricts it to those belonging to the new dispensation it brings. The Qurʾān takes up the issue as well, and like the previous scriptures, appears to do so in a polemical manner. However, the Qurʾānic expression differs from previous scriptures in important ways. This chapter explores the meaning of divine election in the Qurʾān and in relation to previous scriptures, and considers to whom that notion applies.
