Punctuality in performing the five daily prayers and Friday prayers with attentiveness and devotion:
After faith, the most important act in Islam is performing the five daily obligatory prayers. The virtue and merits of prayer are mentioned countless times in the Quran and Hadith, and one of these merits is that sins are forgiven through the blessings of prayer. Allah Almighty says: "Wa aqimi-salata tarafayi-nnahari wa zulafam-minal-layli innal-hasanati yudhhibnas-sayyi'at, dhalika dhikra lil-dhakirin" (Hud: 114)
“And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and in the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.”
Some commentators state that the two ends refer to Fajr (dawn) and Maghrib (sunset) prayers, and the parts of the night refer to Isha (night) prayer. Performing prayers at these times is somewhat difficult, so it is specifically mentioned.
Other commentators interpret the two ends as Dhuhr (noon) and Asr (afternoon) prayers, and the parts of the night as Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha prayers. In this case, the proof of performing all five prayers is found in this verse.
Allah Almighty has promised in this noble verse to erase sins from the record of deeds based on the commitment to perform obligatory prayers, that through the blessings of prayer, Allah Almighty erases sins and writes good deeds, just as medicines give strength and eliminate the effects of disease, so too do good deeds bring reward and eliminate the effects of sin.
This verse was revealed under a specific incident. It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man kissed a strange woman, but immediately realized his mistake. He came to the service of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and confessed his mistake, and inquired about the way to atone for his fault from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). At that time, this noble verse was revealed, which stated to commit to the five daily obligatory prayers, and through the blessings of these good deeds, sins will be forgiven. The person asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) whether this atonement for sin was specific to him. He (peace be upon him) replied that no, the command is general.
The effect of prayer in erasing sins is also mentioned in the Hadith.
Thus, it is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said
أرایتم لوأن نہرا بباب احدکم یغتسل فیہ کل یوم خمس مرۃ ،ھل یبقی من درنہ شیئ ،قالوا لایبقی من درنہ شیئ ،قال فذلک مثل الصلواۃ الخمس یمحو اللہ بھن الخطایا (رواہ البخاری 528)
“Tell me, if there was a river at the door of one of you in which he bathed five times a day, would any dirt remain on him?” The Companions replied, “Nothing would remain of his dirt.” He said, “That is the example of the five prayers, through which Allah Almighty washes away sins.”
The one who prays is as if diving into an ocean of light. Just as bathing five times a day leaves no dirt on the body, similarly, after performing the five obligatory prayers, one's soul is cleansed and purified by the waves of light, and sins are erased from one's record of deeds, provided that the prayer is performed with sincerity.