Open Mind Quran Views On Jews

Google states that the Quran acknowledges that the Children of Israel (Bani Israel) were historically favored and chosen by God, above the other people of their time. But the Quran rejects the idea of a permanent, unconditional, or racial “chosen people” status, which is also rejected by most non-orthodox Jews. The Quran explicitly states in several verses (such as Surah Al-Baqarah 2:47 or Al-Jathiyah 45:16) that God favored the Children of Israel, giving them more scriptures, authority, and prophets. According to Islamic interpretation, this selection was a heavy responsibility—entrusting all Jews with divine guidance and moral leadership at the time—rather than a mark of inherent superiority or a permanent bloodline privilege.

I say that a major misunderstanding of the Biblical concept of God choosing a people, or a prophet, is caused by the use of the word ‘the’ chosen when a better translation would be ‘a’ chosen prophet or people. Relationships are always unique and exclusive, but just as a parent can and should have a loving relationship with several different children; God can and does have a unique and exclusive relationships with many different prophets and many different religious communities.

Before Prophets Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus, “We (God) sent messengers to many nations, and We afflicted the nations with suffering and adversity, that they call Allah in humility. When the suffering reached them from Us, why then did they not call Allah in humility? On the contrary, their hearts became hardened, and Satan made their sinful acts seem alluring to them.”(Qur’an 6:42-43)

The Banu Israel (Jewish People) became the first ongoing monotheistic community to last to the present because God made a special covenant with the whole Banu Israel which; according to the Bible , was similar to a marital partnership.

The Covenant & Accountability: The Quran emphasizes that God’s favor is conditional upon righteousness and obedience to His commands. When groups strayed from the covenant or rejected God’s prophets, they faced divine reprimand or consequence:

1. God proposes a marriage covenant at Sinai:
God said to Moses “Speak thus to the house of Jacob, and tell this to the children of Israel… Now if you listen to me and keep my covenant, then you will be my special possession out of all the peoples, for the whole earth is mine. You will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation. These words you shall speak to the people of Israel” (this is the proposal) “Moses came and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these proposals as God had commanded him. All the people answered together, ‘All that God has proposed, we will do.’ (like “I do” at a wedding). Moses brought this answer back to the Lord.” (Exodus 19:5-8).

2. Why the Jews? Because God loved their ancestors.
“The Lord cared for your ancestors loving them and chose their descendants after them from all nations, as you are this day.” (Deuteronomy 10:15) “I will fulfill my covenant between myself and you (Abraham) and your descendants after you, generation after generation, an everlasting covenant, to be your God, yours and your descendants after you.” (Genesis 17:7)” “All the families of earth shall be blessed through you (Jacob) and your descendants.” (Genesis 28:14)

3. Why the Jews? Divine love isn’t based on popularity or large numbers.
“It was not because you were more numerous than any other nation that the Lord cared about you and chose you, for you are the smallest of nations; it was because of the Lord’s love for you, and his oath to your ancestors.” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)

4. Is being chosen and special make you better? No.
A committed loving relationship results in more giving (Mitsvot), more receiving (Torah, Prophets and sages) and more grief (because each cares about the other). “For you alone have I cared among all the nations of the world, therefore I will castigate you for all your iniquities.”
(Amos 3:2 but see Amos 9:7)

5. Israel can’t adore any other God, but God can and does redeem other nations. “Are not Israelites like Ethiopians to me? Says the Lord. Did I not bring Israel up from Egypt, the Philistines from Crete and the Aramaeans from Kir?” (Amos 9:7) So Prophet Amos tells all Jews that Judaism is for them, and those who join them (converts), but there will be at least two or more monotheistic religions that will be ongoing for many centuries for the rest of humanity.

6. Jews are not THE chosen people; they are A chosen people, the first of several ongoing monotheistic religions. A parent can have many children but only one is the firstborn. “These are the words of the Lord, Israel is my first-born son.” (Exodus 4:22) The Jewish people was the first community to enter into a sacred relationship with the one God but they are not the only ones to do so. In later centuries other communities were formed to spread monotheism worldwide.That process will continue until all nations have a sacred relationship to the one God of Israel.

“Each nation will walk in the name of its God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” (Micah 4:5) Even in the Messianic Age the other nations will be free to faithfully follow their vision of the One God.

To the claim of Ongoing Exclusive Choosiness Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:6): The Quran directly addresses claims of exclusive, permanent entitlement: “Say, [O Prophet], ‘O Jews! If you claim to be Allah’s chosen [people] out of all humanity, then wish for death, if what you say is true.'”

O Children of Israel! Remember ˹all˺ the favors I granted you and how I honored you above the others. This is a historical reference, which is part of the recollection in the Quran of the historical story of how the Jews were _once_ chosen to receive the message and granted favors to ensure they can spread that message to ALL people, which they FAILED to do. This message, which is the same as Islam, applies to ALL people, not just the Jews.

Read a bit further and you see 2:62-2:63: “Whether they are the ones who believe (in the Arabian Prophet), or whether they are Jews, Christians or Sabians – all who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and do righteous deeds – their reward is surely secure with their Lord; they need have no fear, nor shall they grieve. Then you [Jews] turned away from your covenant, and had it not been for Allah’s grace and mercy upon you, you would have long been utter losers.”

The notion of choosiness in the Quran has nothing to do with the concept of the chosen people in the Jewish religion. Islam offers a version of being chosen that depends on your belief and actions – not your race! Islamic commentators explain this verse as challenging an unconditional claim to salvation or favoritism that ignores moral responsibility. In the Quran’s worldview, divine favor is not tied to ethnicity or race, but to faith, piety, and good deeds (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13).

Again as the Qur’an states: “For every nation there is a direction to which they face (in prayer). So hasten towards all that is good. Wheresoever you may be, Allâh will bring you together. Truly, Allâh is able to do all things.” (Quran 2:148)

The commentary/Tafsir of al-Jalalayn states: “Every person, of every community, has his direction/qibla, to which he turns in prayer, so compete with one another in good works; strive with acts of obedience and acceptance of these. Wherever you may be, God will bring you all together, gathering you on Qiyamah, the Day of Resurrection, and requiting you for your deeds; surely God has power over all things.”

And as Prophet Isaiah states: “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel  will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing upon the heart. The LORD of Hosts will bless them saying, “Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.”…(Isaiah 19:23-5)