The ruling on praying behind an innovator
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Q57: Is it permissible to pray behind an innovator?
A57: Religious innovation varies. There is an innovation that constitutes disbelief, such as calling upon the dead or seeking their aid. One’s prayer behind such a person is not valid, because his own prayer is inherently invalid, as he is one who associates partners with Allah. As for an innovation that is less than that, less than disbelief and less than associating partners with Allah, if one finds people praying and the situation is between praying alone or praying with them, he should pray with them. It is well known that such a person is not appointed as an imam, nor is he established as an imam, but if he steps forward and leads them in prayer, one should pray behind him.
A57: Religious innovation varies. There is an innovation that constitutes disbelief, such as calling upon the dead or seeking their aid. One’s prayer behind such a person is not valid, because his own prayer is inherently invalid, as he is one who associates partners with Allah. As for an innovation that is less than that, less than disbelief and less than associating partners with Allah, if one finds people praying and the situation is between praying alone or praying with them, he should pray with them. It is well known that such a person is not appointed as an imam, nor is he established as an imam, but if he steps forward and leads them in prayer, one should pray behind him.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.