Don't fall victim to 'prayer valet' services, Muslims told

PUTRAJAYA: Muslims have been reminded not to fall prey to offers of valet doa (prayer valet) services, which are spreading on social media.

Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) director-general Tan Sri Othman Mustapha said these services were clearly using religion for business purposes, which is prohibited in Islam.

"It is unreasonable to offer prayers as a product or a commercial service because people are taking advantage of religion to gain profits and it will tarnish the sanctity of Islam.

"Only God will answer prayers, not human," he said in a statement here Wednesday.

The prayer valet services among others offered prayer packages in the Holy Land at a price of up to RM2,500.

Othman said Islam encouraged its followers to pray anywhere, but it must meet certain conditions and manners so that it can be answered – as stated by Muslim scholars.

He said it was unreasonable for individuals to claim that the prayers were guaranteed to be granted by God.

He also urged Muslims to contact Jakim or any state Islamic Religious Departments should there be any doubts or concerns on such issue. – Bernama