Almighty Allah commands the believers to strictly establish the five obligatory prayers at all times. It can be found in the following verses of the Noble Quran.

حَٰفِظُواْ عَلَى الصَّلَوَٰتِ وَالصَّلَوٰةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُو مُواْ لِلَّهِ قَٰنِتِينَ

“Guard strictly (the five obligatory) prayers.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:238)

اِنَّ اْلصَّلَوٰ ةَ عَلَى الْمُوءْ مِنِينَ كِتَٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا

“Indeed, the prayer is enjoined upon the believers at prescribed times.”

(Surah An Nisaa’ 4:103)

「本当に礼拝には，信者に対し定められた時刻の掟がある。」

He also severely warns those who neglect them.

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ اَضَا عُواْ الصَّلَوٰةَ وَاتَّبَعُواْ الشَّهَوَٰتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا

“Then there succeeded them a posterity who neglected the prayers and followed lusts; so they will soon be thrown into Hell. ” (Surah Maryam, 19:59)

「それなのにかれらの後継者が礼拝を怠り，私欲に耽ったので，
やがて破滅に当面することになるであろう。」

Washes away sins
Once the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked his companions, “If there was a river by the door of any of you in which he takes a bath five times a day, do you think that any of his dirt would remain?” They replied, “None of his dirt will remain.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “That is the example of the five (obligatory) prayers through which Allah wipes sins away.” [Al Bukhari and Muslim]

Shields against evil
Without seeking Allah’s help, it is impossible to refrain from evil. Allah says,

اِنَّ اْلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَآءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ

“Verily, prayer restrains (oneself) from shameful and unjust deeds…”
(Surah Al Ankabut 29:45)
「本当に礼拝は，（人を）醜行と悪事から遠ざける。」

Makes you humble
Realising Allah’s greatness and how we dependent on Him will sure make our soul far from pride and arrogance. In the prayer, the believer puts the highest part of his body and source of intellect, his brain, on the ground and says, “How perfect is my Lord, The Most High.”

(قَدْ اءَفْلَحَ الْمُوءْمِنُونَ (١) اْلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَا تِهِمْ خَٰشِعُونَ(٢

He says, “Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers.” (Surah Al Mu’minun 23:1-2).

「信者たちは，確かに勝利を勝ちとる。かれらは，礼拝に敬虔であり。」

Solves your problems
Through prayer, He, who is All-Poweful, will rectify all of our problems. Allah says,

يَٰٓاءَ يُّهَا اْلَّذِينَءَامَنُواْ اسْتَعِينُواْ بِاْ لصَّبْرِ وَاْلصَّلَوٰةِ
“Seek help in patience and prayer.” (Surah Al Baqarah 2:153)

「忍耐と礼拝によって助けを求めなさい。」

Unites the Muslims
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The prayer in congregation (jamaah) surpasses the prayer performed individually by twenty-seven degrees” [Al Bukhari and Muslim].
Congregational prayer cultivates brotherhood, equality and humility between Muslims. We would stand in rows and as one body, shoulder to shoulder, without any distinction of skin color, nationality, wealth, family or status.

Enriches your soul
The whole purpose of prayer is His remembrance. When we perform the prayer, we involve our whole body – our tongue, our heart, and our mind. Prayer satisfies our spiritual need by direct communication with our Creator. Allah says, “Without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Surah Ar Ra’d 13:28).

In reality, if the prayer is performed properly, with true remembrance of Allah and turning to His forgiveness, it will have a lasting effect on the person offering it. After we completes the prayer, our heart will be filled with the remembrance of Allah. Such a prayer will  warm our soul, illuminate our mind and inflame our faith.

Hence, when starting the prayer, we should come into the Presence of Allah, as we would on the Day of Resurrection, when we will stand before Him with no mediator between us and Him. Imagine you are now in confidential communication with Him and you know in whose presence you are standing, for He is the King of the kings. When we have lifted our hands and said, “Allahu Akbar“, then let nothing remain in your mind in the time of glorification except the Glory of Allah Most High. Pray as if it is your last prayer.

[Illustration of performing prayer, credit : http://www.muslimahjapan.com]