The Excellence of As-Salat (The Prayer)
Abu Hurairahu (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I heard the Messenger of Allah ( صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) saying,
"Say, if there were a river at the door of one of you in which he takes a bath five times a day, would any soiling remain on him?"
They replied, "No soiling would left on him." He ( صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ) said, "
That is the five (obligatory) Salat (prayers). Allah obliterates all sins as a result of performing them."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary:
This Hadith tells us about the merit and benefits of the performance of the prescribed five daily Salat, performing them will wash off one's sins, but this is true of only such Salat which is performed in accordance with Sunnah, i.e., punctually in exactly the manner showed by the Prophet ( صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّم ), and not of that which is offered at will in one's own way.
187/1042 - Riyad Us-Saliheen
(Gardens of the Righteous)
