Edip-Layth - End Note 14 (5:51)
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.
Rashad Khalifa - The Final Testament
Rashad Khalifa - End Note 9 (5:51)
Relations with other people are governed by the basic rule in5:57 &60:8-9.The Jews and Christians who cannot be friends are specifically mentioned in5:57; they are the oneswho mock and ridicule the believers, or attack them.
60:7 Perhaps God will grant compassion between you and those you consider enemies; and God is Omnipotent. God is Forgiving, Compassionate.
60:8 God does not forbid you from those who have not fought you because of your system, nor drove you out of your homes, that you deal kindly and equitably with them. For God loves the equitable.
60:9 But God does forbid you regarding those who fought you because of your system, and drove you out of your homes, and helped to drive you out. You shall not ally with them. Those who ally with them are the transgressors.
2:62 Surely those who acknowledge, and those who are Jewish, and the Nazarenes, and those who follow other religions, any one of them who acknowledge God and the Last day, and do reform, they will have their reward with their Lord, with no fear over them, nor will they grieve.