Who will enter Paradise first: the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, or Bilal al-Habashi?

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) will be the first to enter Paradise, and this is a special favor granted to him by his Lord over all creation. This is supported by the hadith in Muslim (197) and Ahmad (12469). As for what has been narrated about his seeing Bilal walking in front of him in Paradise, it does not mean that Bilal will enter it before him. Rather, it is an indication of Bilal's close status and his service to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), just as Bilal used to walk ahead of him in this worldly life. Some scholars are of the view that the vision was a dream and does not mean that Bilal will actually enter Paradise before him.