Allah has specially selected and prepared people who will be worthy followers of Hazrat Mahdi (as). In verse 68 of Surat al-Qasas, Allah reveals “Your Lord creates and chooses whatever He wills; the choice is not theirs.” As it is clear from this verse, it is only possible for a person to believe and be a Muslim with taqwa by Allah choosing to bestow salvation upon him. It is impossible for any human being to bestow salvation on one he loves, no matter how much he tries, unless Allah wills otherwise. It is people selected in the destiny ordained by Allah who will have the honor of being the followers of Hazrat Mahdi (as), whose appearance in the End Times is awaited with great enthusiasm and excitement, who is described in the hadiths as possessing the knowledge of all the prophets and being the most virtuous person in the world.
This hadith narrated from our Prophet (saas) indicates that these people specially chosen and prepared by Allah will hear the words of Hazrat Mahdi (as) through television and radio broadcasts in different parts of the world and will swiftly come to Hazrat Mahdi’s (as) side, by plane or other fast means.
Imam Sadik (as) said: He [Hazrat Mahdi (as)] will stand between the Corner and the Station of Abraham and will call out in a loud voice: “O my representatives, my special friends,O THOSE WHOM ALLAH PREPARED IN THE WORLD IN ORDER TO HELP ME BEFORE I CAME, obey and come to me.” They WILL HEAR THE VOICE OF IMAM MAHDI (AS), WHETHER THEY ARE IN EAST OR WEST, AT HOME OR AT THE MAHRAP (THE NICHE IN A MOSQUE INDICATING THE DIRECTION OF MECCA). His voice alone WILL REACH THE EARS OF ALL OF THEM AND THEY WILL ALL MOVE TOWARD HIM. THEY WILL ALL ENTER HIS PRESENCE BEFORE MUCH TIME HAS PASSED, IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. This (great assemblage) will take place between the Corner and the Station of Abraham (before sunrise).”(Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 53, p. 7)
