sentences:  The God-given (Infallible) knowledge and sense of justice of the Imams makes them the definitive reference for (Shia) Muslims in every aspect of life, religious or otherwise, including governance.However, the twelfth Imam disappeared into what Shia believe is "occultation" ("ghaybat") in 939 AD and so has not been present to rule over the Muslim community for over a thousand years.In the absence of the Imam, Shia scholars/religious leaders accepted the idea of non-religious leaders (typically a sultan, king, or shah) managing political affairs, defending Shia Muslims and their territory, but no consensus emerged among the scholars as to how Muslims should relate to those leaders.