Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin advised Muslims in the state not to use the service of a bomoh or shaman to call for rain during this extreme hot weather condition.

He said in Islam, such a move or even believing that someone besides Allah had power to send down rain could lead to 'syirik' (the sin of worshiping anyone or other than Allah) and should be avoided.

"All Muslims are obliged to believe in Allah's power. Do not get easily obsessed with a shaman just because you have witnessed one with the ability to call for rain," he said when commenting on a proposal by certain parties to use the service of a bomoh to call for rain in facing the current drought season.

Describing such a proposal as a serious matter, Mohd Asri stressed that it should not be allowed.

"The best way is to seek Allah's help and pray. If Allah wills and if we continue to do it sincerely, I believe Allah will answer our prayers," he said.

- Bernama