for Allah, exalted is He, says:

“Successful indeed are the believers:
those who are humble in their prayer,
who turn away from idle talk,
who pay the obligatory charity,
who guard their chastity—except with their spouses or those whom their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy; but whoever seeks beyond that, such people are the transgressors—
who are true to their trusts and covenants,
and who keep up their prayers.
Those are the heirs who shall inherit al-Firdaws, abiding therein forever.”

Thus Allah opens this list of praiseworthy qualities with prayer and closes it with prayer.

He, the Exalted, also says in Surah al-Maʿārij:

“Man was created anxious: when misfortune touches him he is fretful, and when good comes to him he is tight-fisted—except those who pray, those who remain constant in their prayer…”

And at the end of those commendable traits He again says, “and those who guard their prayers.”

From this we learn that prayer is the greatest deed after bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. May Allah make me and you among those who establish the prayer, give the zakah, faithfully perform Allah’s obligations, and avoid His prohibitions.