with people of different race or creed. For example, German racists (Nazis) and Jewish racists (Zionists) were opposed to Germans and Jews living together; each side rejected this in the name of their respective race as a degeneration. However, in the Qur’an, there is not the slightest distinction between races; the Qur’an advises that people of different faiths live together in the same society in peace and happiness.
According to the Qur’an, Muslims, Jews and Christians Must Live in Friendship
Jews and Christians (called in the Qur’an the “people of the book”) are much closer to Muslims than idolaters (pagans or the atheists). The people of the book, like Muslims, believe in one God and are subject to His commands.
In the Qur’an, there is a significant difference between the people of the book and the idolaters. This is especially emphasized in the area of social life. For example, it is said concerning the idolaters: “(they) are unclean, so after this year they should not come near the Masjid al-Haram.” (Surat at-Tawba: 28) Idolaters are people who know no divine law, have no moral precepts and who can commit every kind of degrading and perverse deed without hesitation.
But the people of the book, while they rely basically on God’s revelation, have moral precepts and know what is lawful and what is not. For this reason, if one of the people of the book cooks some food, it is lawful for Muslims to eat it. In the same way, permission has been given to a Muslim man to marry a woman from among the people of the book. On this subject God commands:
Today all good things have been made lawful for you. And the food of those given the Book is also lawful for you