It is narrated from Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: What do you think, if there were a flowing river in the courtyard of one of your houses and he bathed in it five times a day, would any dirt remain on him? They said: No, nothing would remain. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Prayer also removes sins in this way, just as water removes dirt.