The Source of Traditions on Imam al-Riḍā (Vol 2) · Hadith 228 (#Ḥadīth #228)

228 - وَبِإِسْنادِهِ قالَ: قالَ النَّبِي صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِوَآلِهِ: عَلِيٌّ أَوَّلُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَني وَهُوَأَوَّل مَن يُصافِحَهُ الحَقِّ.

31-228 According to the same documentation, the Prophet (S) said, “Ali was the first man who followed me. He is the first one whom God will encounter (in the Hereafter.”

Gradings are classical jarḥ-wa-taʿdīl, name-matched to a rijāl index (not individually re-verified).