How do we respond to the specious claim that there is a contradiction in the Holy Quran concerning "the first of those who submitted to God (al-muslimīn)"?

The Quran contains no contradictions. The statement by the messengers, "I am the first of the Muslims," signifies a relative precedence. Each prophet was the first of the Muslims from his own people, or it indicates an initiative in faith and complete certainty. Meanwhile, Noah (peace be upon him) was the first messenger to the people of the earth, and Adam (peace be upon him) was the first Muslim absolutely.