Equality of Believers
[4:69] Those who obey GOD and the messenger belong with those blessed by GOD – the prophets, the saints, the martyrs, and the righteous. These are the best company.
[4:70] Such is the blessing from GOD; GOD is the best Knower.
[4:71] O you who believe, you shall remain alert, and mobilize as individuals, or mobilize all together.
[4:72] Surely, there are those among you who would drag their feet, then, if a setback afflicts you, they would say, “GOD has blessed me that I was not martyred with them.”
[4:73] But if you attain a blessing from GOD, they would say, as if no friendship ever existed between you and them, “I wish I was with them, so I could share in such a great victory.”
[4:74] Those who readily fight in the cause of GOD are those who forsake this world in favor of the Hereafter. Whoever fights in the cause of GOD, then gets killed, or attains victory, we will surely grant him a great recompense.
Equality of Men and Women
[33:35] The submitting men, the submitting women, the believing men, the believing women, the obedient men, the obedient women, the truthful men, the truthful women, the steadfast men, the steadfast women, the reverent men, the reverent women, the charitable men, the charitable women, the fasting men, the fasting women, the chaste men, the chaste women, and the men who commemorate GOD frequently, and the commemorating women; GOD has prepared for them forgiveness and a great recompense.
The Only Criterion For Distinguishing Among The People
[49:13] 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. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.
[57:19] Those who believed in GOD and His messengers are the saints and martyrs. Reserved for them at their Lord are their rewards and their light. As for those who disbelieved and rejected our revelations, they have incurred Hell.
Is anyone who believes in God and His messengers only the saint or a martyr – or is this a subset of some of the believers?
Saint: being a highly virtuous person
The word “saint” occurs in the following verses
[4:69] Those who obey GOD and the messenger belong with those blessed by GOD – the prophets, the saints, the martyrs, and the righteous. These are the best company.
[5:75] The Messiah, son of Mary, is no more than a messenger like the messengers before him, and his mother was a saint. Both of them used to eat the food. Note how we explain the revelations for them, and note how they still deviate!
[19:41] Mention in the scripture Abraham; he was a saint, a prophet.
[19:56] And mention in the scripture Idris. He was a saint, a prophet.
[57:19] Those who believed in GOD and His messengers are the saints and martyrs. Reserved for them at their Lord are their rewards and their light. As for those who disbelieved and rejected our revelations, they have incurred Hell.
The Arabic word also occurs in 12:46 and is translated as friend
[12:46] “Joseph my friend, inform us about seven fat cows being devoured by seven skinny cows, and seven green spikes, and others shriveled. I wish to go back with some information for the people.”
Saint seems to be a combination between truthful and friend
What is the definition of a martyr?
Someone who is killed in the cause of their belief.
[3:157] Whether you get killed or die in the cause of GOD, the forgiveness from GOD, and mercy are far better than anything they hoard.
[3:140] If you suffer hardship, the enemy also suffers the same hardship. We alternate the days of victory and defeat among the people. GOD thus distinguishes the true believers, and blesses some of you with martyrdom. GOD dislikes injustice.
[9:52] Say, “You can only expect for us one of two good things (victory or martyrdom), while we expect for you condemnation from GOD and retribution from Him, or at our hands. Therefore, wait, and we will wait along with you.”
Joel Osteen (1:15min & 12:20min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl1d3Xb0m7w
Quran Talk Blog 