In Shi‘i thought, the infallible Imam, as the successor to the Prophet Muhammad, assumes all of the Prophet’s functions except the reception of revelation. Among the Imam’s most important responsibilities are guiding the community, serving as an authoritative source of religious knowledge, and providing spiritual education and formation. As the Perfect Human, the infallible Imam has an ontological role in guiding believers and leading them toward perfection, and the light of his guidance flows within their hearts. This raises a fundamental question: how are the Imam’s responsibilities—particularly the spiritual formation of believers—fulfilled during the Occultation? This article explains that, although the Imam is not outwardly accessible during the Occultation, he remains inwardly present and his non-manifest functions continue. The formative role of Imam al-Mahdi during the Occultation can be examined through his ontological and inward guidance, his guidance of believers through divine trials, guidance through the system of deputyship and mediation, special acts of grace, and the cultivation of a culture of awaiting the Mahdi’s advent. The article employs a descriptive-analytical method.