Is it better to pray at home with devotion and tranquility, or in the Ismaili mosque hastily and with little devotion to avoid suspicion? And is it permissible to perform Tarawih prayers with them, given that their form differs from the prayer of the Sunnis? And is praying with them with the intention of praying individually better than praying alone at home?

It is not permissible to pray behind Ismailis, because they are outside the fold of Islam, and one does not pray behind a disbeliever. Nor is it permissible to pray behind them with the intention of praying individually, because their prayer differs from the prayer of the Sunnis. Therefore, it is obligatory to pray in the mosques of the Sunnis.

However, if a Muslim fears for himself from them, and cannot escape with his religion intact, he should pray at home or in any place where he feels safe. If he fears that his matter will be doubted, he may pray with them occasionally to ward off suspicion, and then repeat that prayer in his home. There is no virtue in praying behind them, because it is not valid from him nor from them.

Innovations are of two types: 1. Innovation that leads to disbelief (Bid‘ah Mukaffirah): Such as the innovation of the Ismailis and the extremist Batinis. One does not pray behind these. 2. Innovation that does not lead to disbelief (Bid‘ah Ghair Mukaffirah): Such as raising the voice with the intention (niyyah) and communal dhikr. Prayer behind these is valid, although praying behind the Sunnis is more preferable.