$stmt = $this->conn->prepare("SELECT * FROM users WHERE email=?");
    $stmt->bind_param('s', $email);
    if ($stmt->execute()) {
        $stmt->bind_result($id,$unique_id,$name,$email,$encrypted_password,$salt,$created_at,$updated_at);
        $user = $stmt->fetch();
        $stmt->close();


        // verifying user password
        $salt = $user['salt'];
        $encrypted_password = $user['encrypted_password'];
        $hash = $this->checkhashSSHA($salt, $password);
        // check for password equality
        if ($encrypted_password == $hash) {
            // user authentication details are correct
            return $user;
        }
    } else {
        return null;
    }
}`