Al-Ghaybah

In contrast, the Major Occultation, which remains in effect, raises significant theological discussions. How does the absence of a physical Imam influence the dynamics of faith? For many Shia Muslims, this absence requires a profound trust in God’s plan and the continuity of divine guidance through religious scholars and mujtahids, who interpret Islamic law and doctrine in the Imam’s absence.

2. The Role of Religious Scholarly Interpretation

The gap left by al-Mahdi’s absence has been filled, in part, by influential Shia scholars who have shaped theological discourse and communal practices. Scholars such as Allama Tabatabai and Ayatollah Khomeini have argued that the responsibility of leadership lies with the jurists who are entrusted to apply Islamic principles. This interpretation lends itself to a hierarchy of religious authority that bolsters the identity of the Shia community even in the absence of their Imam.