Reason of occultation of the Imam from his followers
Kitāb al-Ghayba|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 22
قالوا: ولا فائدة في ظهوره سرا لبعض أوليائه لأن النفع المبتغى من تدبير الأمة لا يتم إلا بظهوره للكل ونفوذ الأمر، فقد صارت العلة في استتار الإمام على الوجه الذي هو لطف ومصلحة للجميع واحدة.
They have said that there is no purpose in his clandestine appearance to some of his devotees, because the expected benefit of leading the Ummah cannot be fulfilled, but through his appearance and exertion of leadership for all. Therefore, the reason for the Imam’s hiding in the way in which it is grace and prudent for all is the same.