"O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous" (49:13). The Quran addresses "O people" (yā ayyuhan-nās), never one race; GOD is "Lord of the universe" (1:2) and "the Lord of the people" (114:1). Difference of colour and language is a sign (30:22), not a ranking. Paul said the same at Athens — "hath made of one blood all nations of men" (Acts 17:26, requested by the brief and absent from the notes) — and Peter, "in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:34–35). The salvation criteria are GOD's and are three: belief in GOD, belief in the Last Day, a righteous life (2:62, 5:69) — stated for Jews, Christians, converts and believers alike. Against this stand the caste cosmogony of the Purusha hymn and the Babel account; the Quran's answer is not to curse them but to state the three criteria and the one Adam.
[49:13] (above); [4:1] …created you from one being, and created from it its mate… [30:22] Among His proofs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors… [17:70] We have honored the children of Adam…
"Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. [5:69]
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
[2:112] Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord… [2:111] Some have said, "No one will enter Paradise except Jews or Christians!" Such is their wishful thinking. Say, "Show us your proof, if you are right."
"The Lord brings death and makes alive… He raises the poor from the dust." / "Where can I go from your Spirit?…" / "even the very hairs of your head are all numbered"
[58:7] …No three people can conspire secretly without Him being their fourth… [19:94] He has encompassed them, and has counted them one by one.
[49:13]; [4:1]
[49:13] (nations as a blessing, "that you may recognize one another")
[3:113] They are not all the same; among the followers of the scripture, there are those who are righteous… [28:54] To these we grant twice the reward… (also 3:110; 22:17)
[3:195] …be you male or female - you are equal to one another… [4:124]; [16:97]; [33:35] (ten paired virtues); [81:8–9] The girl who was buried alive is asked: For what crime was she killed? [16:58–59]
[49:13]
Open with 49:13 and let it stand alone; then, to a Christian, Acts 10:34–35 and Matthew 7:21 beside 2:62 and 2:112 — "your Peter and your Jesus set the same three criteria the Quran sets"; to a Jew, 3:113 and 22:17 to show that the Quran expects righteous people among them and promises them twice the reward (28:54); to a Hindu, 49:13 beside the honest statement that the Vedic one humanity texts are still to be sourced, and the gentle observation that caste rests on a verse many Hindu reformers themselves question. Never let the strand become an indictment of anyone's community; its point is that GOD's criteria for salvation are not community membership (2:111: "Show us your proof"). Close with 2:62 read in full, both halves: the criteria and "They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve."