The following hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) best describes the place and importance of salah among other acts of worship: “The head of the matter is Islam

 (submitting to Allah by reciting Kalimah al-Shahadah), and its pillar is salah and its peak is to strive on the path of Allah”. (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Iman 8; Ibn Hanbal, V, 231) Salah, in this hadith, is likened to a tent pole, which is widely used and known among Arabs. In this hadith, the tent represents the whole of Islam. Just as a pillar is needed for a tent to stand, Islam remains standing thanks to salah. Therefore, the foundation of Islam gains strength and matures with it. (Ali al-Qari, Mirqat al-Mafatih, I, 105) At the same time, this good deed is a veil that protects people from being engulfed in the vortex of shirk and the darkness of kufr. (Ibn Hanbal, III, 370; Tirmidhi, Iman, 9)  

Salah is not only the most favorite worship and the primary way to get close to Allah (swt), (Gazzali, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, I, 145) but also it is the first act of worship humanity will be questioned about on Day of Judgment. (Sunan an-Nasai, Muharaba, 2). Salah is a light that will lead us to salvation on the Day of Judgment. (Ibn Hanbal, II, 169)By the mercy of Allah (swt), this light makes us safe from fear in the dreadful environment of the Day.(Baqarah, 2/277; Tawbah, 9/71)Thanks to this valuable worship, the Muslim gets closer to Allah (swt) and at the same time acquires the key to Paradise.(Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Taharah, 1) The Prophet Muhammad (saw) gives the glad tidings of Paradise for those who perform salah: “Whoever performs the five daily prayers on time by observing its bowings, prostrations and ablutions –believing that it’s a true command from Allah - will enter Paradise.” (Ibn Hanbal, IV, 266) In another hadith “The five daily prayers and the Friday prayers expiate the minor sins between them”, (Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 14) He explains that salah is the way to purify sins and be cleansed. Salah protects people from falling into wrong ways and is an atonement for minor sins committed. (Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 14)

Salah is an act of worship that protects and cleanses a Muslim from being contaminated by spiritual impurities such as hatred, envy, indecency and evil. Almighty Allah (swt) explains this in the Qur'an as follows: “Recite, [O Muhammad!], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer.Indeed, prayer prohibits shamelessness and wrongdoing. The remembrance of Allah (through prayer) is greater.  And Allah knows that which you do.'' (Ankabut, 29/45) A Muslim who turns towards the Kaaba five times a day and connects with Allah (swt) sincerely and honestly will save himself from the  captivity of evil inspired into his own self. He will not fall into the humiliating states of the worldly life. Because of this special worship, he feels the strong connection with Allah (swt) five times a day and renews his faith. By strengthening his faith, he becomes spiritually stronger and spiritually nourished. 

Prophet Muhammad (saw) likens the person who performs salah to someone who washes himself five times a day in a river in front of his house. There will be no trace of material impurities left in this person, and no trace of sins will remain in the person who performs the salah. Therefore, performing salah has a dual effect by cleansing spiritual and material impurities. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Mawaqit, 6; Sahih Muslim, Masajid, 283)

Performed properly, salah matures a Muslim morally and makes him a virtuous individual. A believer, who consistently and consciously fulfills this duty of servitude in reverence, will have no trace of ungratefulness or stinginess. As a person with chastity and reliability who has a firm belief, internalizes virtues such as modesty and generosity, he becomes one of the favorite figures of the society and the enlightened representatives of Islam. 

Salah is a worship that psychologically relaxes people, who struggle to exist in the world, where everything loses its value rapidly, and who have difficulty in breathing among the world's preoccupations, and reveals the qualities that make them human.  As a matter of fact, Prophet Muhammad (saw), who is an example for us, used to take refuge in His Lord (swt), Who solved all problems and relieved sorrow and sadness, by performing salah when He faced a troubled and sad situation.(Abu Dawud, Tatawwu', 2) 

Salah provides physical purification from another aspect. As part of preparation for this worship, performing ablution, purifying the body and the place of prayer from impurities allows people to live in healthier conditions.