Purpose and importance of Sala'h (Namaz)

The purpose of Salah in Islam is to act as a person's communication with and remembrance of Allah(God). By reciting "The Opening", the first chapter of the Qur'an, as required in all daily worship, the worshipper can stand before Allah(God), thank and praise Him, and to ask for guidance along the Straight Path.
In addition, daily worship remind Muslims to give thanks for God's blessings and that submission to Allah(God) takes precedence over all other concerns, thereby revolving their life around Allah(God) and submitting to His will. Worship also serves as a formal method of remembering Allāh Ta'alaa, or dhikr.

"The true believers are those who feel fear in their hearts when God is mentioned. And when His Revelations are recited to them, they find their faith strengthened. They do their best and then put their trust in their Lord." [Qur'an 8:2]

"To those whose hearts, when God is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what we have bestowed upon them." [Qur'an 22:35]

"Salah is also cited as a means of restraining a believer from social wrongs and moral deviancy." [Qur'an 29:45]

 The Ahadith provide further details; as for example, when the Qur'an refers to three daily prayers (suras 11:114; 17:78–79; 30:17–18 and possibly 24:58),  while the five daily prayers stipulated by the later Abu Huraira RadiyAllāhu `anhu narrates that once Muhammad pbuh asked his companions, 'Do you think that dirt can remain on a person bathing five times a day in a brook running in front of his door?' 'No', replied the companions,
'No dirt can remain on his body.' Muhammad pbuh remarked: 'So, exactly similar is the effect of salat offered five times a day. With the grace of Allāh Ta'alaa, it washes away all the sins'.(Bukhari, Muslim)
Abu Umamah narrates that the Muhammad pbuh said, "Allāh Ta'alaa does not Listen to anything from His servant as He does to the two rakahs (of prayer) that he offers. Mercy descends over the servant's head as long as he remains in prayer." (Tirmidhi and Ahmad) As-Suyuti considers it sahih."
In Al-Muwatta, Imam Malik ibn Anas says: "It reached me that the Prophet said: '(Try to) keep to the straight path although you won't be able to do so completely; and know that the best of your deeds is salah, and only a (true) believer preserves his wudhu.'"
Abu Zar RadiyAllāhu `anhu narrates that once Muhammad pbuh came out of his house. It was autumn and the leaves were falling off the trees. He caught a branch of a tree and its leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked, 'O, Abu Zar! when a Muslim offers his salat to please Allāh, his sins are shed away from him just as these leaves are falling off this tree.'(Ahmad)
Sabrah bin Ma'bad Al-Juhani reported: Muhammad said, "Teach a boy Salat when he attains the age of seven years, and punish him (if he does not offer it) at ten." (Abu Dawood)....
Abu Huraira narrated: Muhammad said, "The angels keep on asking Allāh Ta'alaa's forgiveness for anyone of you, as long
as he is at his Mu, salla (praying place) and he does not pass wind (Hadath). They say, 'O Allāh! Forgive him, O Allāh! be Merciful to him." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 8, Hadith #436)
Hasan ibn Ali narrates that Muhammad stated: "He who recites Ayatul Kursi after obligatory salat, is in the protection of Allah til the next salat." from Tabarani, Majma uz-Zuwaid....

Umm Farwah narrates that Muhammad asked which is the best of the good deeds. He said, "To offer Salat at the beginning of its prescribed time." From Abu Dawood....
Abu Hurairah narrates that Muhammad said, "The first row of salat amongst the men is most rewarding and the last is the least; whereas the last rows of salat amongst the women are most rewarding and the first the least." from Muslim....
Uthman bin Affan narrates that Muhammad said, "He who performed wudhu for salat and performed it properly and then went on foot to offer the obligatory salat and offered it along with the people or in congregation or in the masjid, Allah would forgive his sins." from Muslim....

Abu Darda narrates that Muhammad said, "If three persons in a village or a forest do not offer the congregational salat, then shaitan fully overpowers them. So make it obligatory on yourself to offer salat in congregation. For undoubtedly the wolf eats only the stray goat." from Abu Dawood....