Friends and relatives have recalled through a series of memoirs that Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, did not encourage his grandson to perform the optional midnight prayers.
It has been recalled that Seyyed Hassan Khomeini, grandson of Imam, had been too much dedicated to saying his mid-night prayers since his early youthhood.
However, Imam Khomeini, who himself never missed saying prayers and reciting supplications at middle of the night, advised young Hassan to concentrate on carrying out religious obligations rather than performing non-compulsory worship.
Pundits say that this recommendation by Imam had great thinking, reason and philosophy. It shows that children and persons at early youth stages should not impose on themselves all optional religious regulations which cause inconvenience or prevent them from performing this original duties.
This principle should also be observed while preaching the genuine divine teachings of Islam.