Abu Uthman says: I was with Sayyiduna Salman al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) under a tree. He took hold of a dry branch of it and shook it until its leaves fell. Then he said: O Abu Uthman! Will you not ask me why I did this? I said: Yes, why did you do this? He said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did this with us when I was with him under a tree. He (peace and blessings be upon him) took hold of a dry branch and shook it until its leaves fell. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: Salman! Will you not ask me why I did this? I said: Yes, why did you do this, O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)? He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Indeed, when a Muslim performs ablution and performs it well, then offers the five prayers, his sins fall away just as these leaves fall. Allah the Exalted has said: Establish prayer at the two ends of the day and in some hours of the night. Surely good deeds remove evil deeds. That is a reminder for those who take heed. (Surah Hud: 114)