to pray for rain, lowly, humble, reverent, and supplicating.” (1)

“And with him are people of religious commitment and righteousness, the elderly, and discerning children. If the People of the Covenant go out separately from the Muslims—not on the same day—they are not to be prevented …”

His statement, “And with him are people of religious commitment and righteousness,” is because such people are more likely to have their supplication answered.

The phrase “religious commitment and righteousness” joins two near-synonymous terms, for everyone possessed of religious commitment is righteous.

His statement, “the elderly,” means those advanced in age who have spent their lives in religious commitment and righteousness, for they are more likely to be answered.

His statement, “and discerning children,” means those who have not yet reached puberty, because they have no sins; thus, they are more likely to be answered than those whose records have been filled with sins.

By “discerning,” he excludes young children who have not reached the age of discernment, for they are not taken out, since they may cause more disturbance, shouting, and crying than benefit.

The author’s words, “with him,” apparently indicate that they accompany him as he walks, since he said, “He goes out, and with him …” It is also possible that he meant that they join him in the prayer, rather than that they accompany him on his way to the mosque.

The more likely meaning is that being “with him” here refers to joining him in the prayer, because that is what is intended.