In the match held in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on Wednesday, Al Ahli striker Lima threw himself at the ball to score with a fine diving header in the 63rd minute.
The Brazilian gave the Emirati team the upper hand ahead of the second leg in Dubai on September 16.
Naft Tehran attempted to respond the goal but failed to break deadlock.
Al Ahli is seeking to become the first club from the United Arab Emirates to win the title since Al Ain claimed the inaugural AFC Champions League in 2003.
