It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that once we were attending a meal invitation at the house of an Ansari woman along with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Soon a man from among the people of Paradise will come to you." After a short while, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived. We congratulated him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Soon another man from among the people of Paradise will come to you." After a little while, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived. We also congratulated him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then said again: "Soon another man from among the people of Paradise will come to you." At that time, I saw that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was looking out from beneath the trees and said: "O Allah, if You will, let the one who comes be Ali." Accordingly, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) came, and we also congratulated him.
Hadith Referenceمسند احمد / مسند المكثرين من الصحابة / 14550
Hadith Gradingحکم دارالسلام:إسناده محتمل للتحسين من أجل عبدالله بن محمد بن عقيل