As the sheep entered or left the pen, they would ‘ pass under the crook ’ and could thus be counted by the shepherd.
لِذَا فَإِنَّ ٱلرِّعَايَةَ هِيَ إِحْدَى أَهَمِّ ٱلْمَسَائِلِ ٱلَّتِي تُنَاقِشُهَا هَيْئَةُ ٱلشُّيُوخِ .‏