اِنَّ الصَّلٰوةَ تَنْهٰى عَنِ الْفَحْشَآءِ وَ الْمُنْكَرِؕ

Translation from Kanz-ul-Iman: Indeed Salah stops indecency and evil.

In the commentary of this Ayah, Sadr-ul-Afazil, ‘Allamah Maulana Sayyid Mufti Muhammad Na’eem-ud-Deen Muradabadi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states: The one who is punctual in his Salah and offers it properly, as a result of this, he will abandon those sins one day that he was indulged in once. Sayyiduna Anas رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ narrates that a young Ansari man used to offer Salah with the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He used to commit various major sins. People complained about him to the Holy Rasool صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. He صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said: ‘His Salah will stop him from those sins one day.’ Therefore, he repented in near future and became a lot better. (Khaza'in-ul-'Irfan summarised)

Thief became Wali due to the blessing of Salah

Let’s listen to a beautiful parable in this regard: It is narrated that a thief entered the house of Sayyidatuna Rabi’ah Basriyyah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْھا at night time. He searched through the whole house but could not find anything except for a lota (ewer). When he intended to leave, then she رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْھا said: ‘If you are a wise and clever thief, then you will not leave empty handed.’ He said: ‘I could not find anything.’ She رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْھا said: ‘O poor man! Perform Wudu with this lota (ewer) and enter the room and offer 2 Rak’at Salah. You will leave from here with something.’ He performed Wudhu as per her instructions.

When he stood for Salah, then she رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْھا supplicated in the following manner: ‘O Allah Almighty! This man came to my house but could not find anything. Now, I have made him stand in Your court. Do not deprive him of Your grace and mercy.’ When he completed his Salah, he relished the sweetness of the worship. Therefore, he remained engaged in offering Salah until the last part of the night. When the time of Sahari arrived, Sayyidatuna Rabi’ah Basriyyah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْھا heard him saying while scolding his Nafs in the state of Sajdah: ‘When my Lord will ask me that were you not ashamed of disobeying Me? You used to hide sins from people but now, you are present in My court with the piles of sins! When He would inflict His wrath upon me and abandon me from His merciful court, then what answer will I give?’