ismaili/aga khani

[a-town_boy]

I have a few questions.

1. do you guys pray the same way as other muslims? like five times daily following the same procedure with minor difference?
2. Are others allowed to visit the jamaat khaana when you guys are praying or during other times.
3. I had a friend in high school who was ismaili and remember him telling me that the next imam is the eldest son of the current imam. Now I read in the other thread that the current imam chooses the next imam. Which is it?
4. If the current imam chooses, then does he leave a will or does he declare it during his lifetime?
5. What if the imam doesn't have any sons?

Thanks

1. we pray three times daily.. it's preety different.. we don't do rukuu.. like touching knees wid hands while bending.. but we do sujood and also stand up during prayers same as other muslims..

2. i hav seen non-ismailis in jamat khana but not during prayer timings.

3. no, it doesn't really have to be the eldest son. only imam chooses. it could be the grandson and not the son as is the case wid the current imam.

4. Yea, i think the imam both declares during his lifetime and also leaves a will choosing the next imam.

5. has never happened before.. so i don't know about this one..

thanx for asking the questions in a decent manner. i hope others will follow your lead and ask questions in a calm way..:)