O you who acknowledge, do not take the Jews and the Nazarenes as allies, for they are allies to one another; and whoever takes them as such from amongst you is one of them. God does not guide the wicked people.
Translation endnotes
[5:51-57] Verse 5:57 provides the characteristics of the people of the book, whom we are instructed not to ally ourselves with. Muslims should not ally themselves with those who insult their values or promote hatred against them. Obviously, this instruction is in the context of religious conflict; not in the context of social, personal, or financial relationship. There are righteous people among the people of the book (3:113; 3:199: 5:69). Eating their food or marriage with them is permitted (5:5). Verses 5:57 and 60:7-9 are among the verses that provide us with basic principles in dealing with others.