Editing Imam Mahdi (section)

=== Infrared's Haz on Occultation of Mahdi ===
Mahdi is a figure of the end times, so the occultation of the of the Mahdi means the end times have already happened, it's already here, it's just hidden. So you need this kind of specific [[Hermeneutics|hermeneutic]] to arrive at the truth of the present which is the end times. Simply put, the end times are here, just hidden, which can be explained from the same old dialectics between [[appearance]] and [[essence]]. The occultation of Imam Mahdi is a specific way that has more emphasis in Shia Islam which occludes the essence of reality (the truth): the essence as behind the appearance. It establishes a discontinuity between appearance and essence much as it establishes a discontinuity within the Ummah because of the injustice of martyrdom of Imam Hussain. All these are important factors in the occultation. 

There is an indirect relationship to the revelation which is established through this concept of occultation. Shia Islam is defined more by an indirect relation to revelation, whereas, Sunni Islam is a direct relation to revelation. So Shia societies are hierarchical and mediated while Sunni societies are more amass, without the same religious hierarchy.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/live/LcXWIiVI7gs?si=o4iiw4Cu-q1yRgJk&t=9535</ref>