39:12  “and I am commanded that I should be the first among the Muslims.” 

39:12 Since the divine revelations came to the Prophet, he was by all means the first Muslim. The statement also indicates to his rank among all the Muslims. The word muslim is typically used to denote all believers who are followers of Muhammad and guided by the final divine revelation. However, it has wider connotation, always meaning man’s self-surrender to God or one who surrenders himself to God, without limiting its usage to any specific community or denominations. Thus, Ibrāhīm is considered to be a Muslim for his surrendering to God (kāna musliman, 3:67), the disciples of Jesus are mentioned as Muslims (bi annā muslimūn, 3:52), the entire universe is considered to be automatically muslim for its obedience and submission to the Will of God (3:83).