Truly, the word 'Muslim' literally means: 'one who submits himself to God'
The word Jew originally means 'one who turns and resorts to God'
The Christ told his disciples to be 'leaders of people to the religion of God' and to be his 'helpers for the religion of God'.
So this is the word in origin: because all these religions in origin pertain to God and devoutly worship God alone.
In this contest: all the previous prophets of God and all their followers were 'submitting themselves to God alone'.
The interpretations of the Quran gave defective information to the English and other non-Arabic languages; because the translation depends on some available explanations by some commentators.
While now the late interpreter Mohammed-Ali Hassan Al-Hilly has given the best interpretation, which does not belong to any sect, but depends on inspiration and revelation from God.
So this is the interpretation of the
Quran aya 3: 110
[Then God – be glorified – addressed the ‘Helpers’ among the people of Medina, and He said:]
{
110. You [: the believers among Mohammed's nation] are the best nation evolved for mankind a: enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God [alone.]
Had the people of the Bible believed [like your belief, and associated not anything with God], it would have been better for them b;
some of them are believers c, but most of them are the evil-livers d.}
............................................................
a i.e. God says: I mentioned in the past Heavenly Books that
your prophet is the best among prophets, and your nation is the best among nations.
b Than remaining with their religion.
c Like Abd-Allah son of Salam and his Jewish friends, and like Najashi and his Christian companions, who converted and believed.
d i.e. the disobedient to God; because they recognized the truth and even so they denied it.
The interpretation is by Mohammed-Ali Hassan Al-Hilly.
Comment: I, selfsame, say: the interpreter said to me: they
were the best nation; he meant:
the Prophet and his followers were the best nation in their time, and God described them that they were: "
enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in God [alone.]"