Visiting the People of Innovation for the Purpose of Advising Them and Praying with Them

Question:
The questioner says: In our da'wah (calling to Islam) programs, we sometimes go to the people of innovation to advise them, and we pray with them so that they will abandon what they are upon. Does this bring one closer to the Shari'ah, as some claim?

Answer:
If their bid'ah (religious innovation) does not take them out of the religion, meaning they are Muslims but have an innovation that does not take them out of the religion, then pray with them. But if their bid'ah takes them out of the religion, then do not pray with them; their prayer is not valid, so do not pray, and if you do pray, your prayer behind them is also not valid, if their bid'ah is one of disbelief that takes them out of the religion. Yes.