Is it permissible to pray behind an innovator?

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy, did you know him? Yes.

The questioner : Peace be upon you.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace.

The questioner : My brother 'Abd al-Rahman, Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman.

The Shaykh : Which Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman?

The questioner : Okay, let's confirm, Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Nasir al-Din, yes?

The Shaykh : Yes, Shaykh Muhammad.

The questioner : How are you, O Khayr?

The Shaykh : Shaykh, I am, because I have passed seventy, I am truly a shaykh because I have passed seventy.

The questioner : Okay, I am sorry, I stumbled over the honorable one, I am sorry. Please proceed. No, no, no.

The Shaykh : Please, go ahead.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good. Is it permissible to pray behind an innovator, even if he denies the truth in his innovation?

The Shaykh : As long as you rule that he is a Muslim, it is permissible to pray behind him.

The questioner : A daughter rules that he is a Muslim; it is permissible to pray behind him. Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner : He commits an innovation.

The Shaykh : May Allah guide you. So when you describe him as an innovator, does that mean he does not commit the innovation?

The questioner : Yes, unfortunately, I am able to answer the question.