Muslims have been reminded not to fall prey to 'valet doa' (prayer valet) services, which have gone viral on social media.

Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) director-general Othman Mustapha said the prayer valet services were clearly using prayers and religious obligations for business purposes, which were prohibited in Islam.

"It is unreasonable for a prayer to be used as a product or 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 humans," he said in a statement in Putrajaya today.

The prayer valet services, among others, offers 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 would be answered as stated by Muslim scholars.

Thus, he said, it was unreasonable for any individual to claim that his 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