Lord of the Worlds, Allah Subhana wa ta’ala obligates on every Muslim:
Hence not only praying is obligatory but praying at it’s own time is obligatory on every Muslim, with exceptions given for certain situations as mentioned in other ahadeeth.
The importance of Salah (Prayer) can be seen from the fact that when in the night of Isra-wal-Mi’raj, Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was ascended to Allah (subuhaanahu wata’aala), Salah is the only act of Ibadah which was revealed directly, without any messenger in between. Why? Because it is so special and it is the one which is most beloved in the sight of Allah (subuhaanahu wata’aala) and leaving it is no excuse.
Allah (subuhaanahu wata’aala) says in Surah al-Baqarah, Verse Number 238,
Let us ponder on the last words of Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). In his last breaths, he said, “As-Salaah! As-Salaah!………” (Narrated by Imam Ahmed). Meaning that “be careful to Prayers”.
The first question which will be asked on the Day of Judgement will be about Salah. If it is good, everything else will be good, and if it is bad, then everything else will be bad too.
Rasoolullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said,
Imam Ahlusunnah Wa’al Jamaa’ Ahmed Bin Hanbal Rahimullah once said “A person’s relationship with his Salah reflects his relationship with his Deen (of Islam)“.