Meaning of Salah (Prayers)

As-Salah:In the Arabic language it means du’aa’ (Invocation)

As-Salah: Islamically it means to worship Allaah through certain known and prescribed sayings and actions starting with Takbeer (saying Allaahu AkbarAllaah is the Greater), and ending with Tasleem (saying: as-salaamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatul-lahi wabarakaatuh may Allaah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you)

2-The Merits of As-Salah

1-Prevents from Al-Fahshaa’ (great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.). [see Q:29/45].
2-The best of deeds after the Testimony of Faith (laa ilaaha illal-laah, Muhammad rasoulul-laah). [hadeeth ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’oud (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Bukhari (v.9; 625) & Muslim]. 
3-Washes out sins. [hadeeth of Jaabir (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (v1;1410)]. 
4-Expiates sins. [hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (v1;450)]. 
5-A light for its adherent in this Life and in the Hereafter. [hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallaahu 'anhuma) in Musnad Ahmad (v2;169) with good chain of narration].
Prevents from Al-Fahshaa’ (great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc.). [see Q:29/45].
2-The best of deeds after the Testimony of Faith (laa ilaaha illal-laah, Muhammad rasoulul-laah). [hadeeth ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’oud (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Bukhari (v.9; 625) & Muslim]. 
3-Washes out sins. [hadeeth of Jaabir (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (v1;1410)]. 
4-Expiates sins. [hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (v1;450)]. 
5-A light for its adherent in this Life and in the Hereafter. [hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallaahu 'anhuma) in Musnad Ahmad (v2;169) with good chain 

6-Raises in rank and removes sins. [hadeeth of Thawbaan (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (v.1; 989)].
7-One of the greatest causes to enter Paradise with the company of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). [hadeeth of Rabee’ah al-Aslami (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (v1; 990)].
8-Between each performance of salaat and the next performance, sins are pardoned [hadeeth ‘Uthmaan (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (v1;438)].
9-The angels will ask Allaah for Blessings and Forgiveness upon the adherent in his place of prayers. [hadeeth Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Bukhari (v.3; 330) and in Muslim].
10-Waiting for the next prayer after observing a prayer is Ribaat(keeping oneself adhering and firm on acts of obedience).[hadeeth Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) in Muslim (251)].

11-The one who goes to the Mosque to perform the prayer is in prayer until he returns. [hadeeth Abu Hurairah radiyallaahu 'anhu) in "saheeh" ibn Khuzaimah; authenticated by Al-Albani].