ÿþ<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>ALL&#256Y&#256R</TITLE> <style type="text/css"> .BODY { background-color: #EAF1F7; background-image: url('images/gtbh.jpg'); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: fixed; background-position: center; color: #0066CC;} .C1{text-align: justify;color: #0066CC;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .BIB{text-align: center;color: #000099;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} .CONT{text-align: right;color: #FF0000;FONT-size: SMALL;FONT-family: Tahoma;} </style><META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="ALLYR"> <META http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></HEAD> <BODY class="BODY" oncontextmenu="return false" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false"> <FONT ALIGN="JUSTIFY" FACE="Tahoma"> <p class="C1">&#65279ALL&#256Y&#256R, a wealthy Muslim horse-dealer of Delhi, who turned a preacher of Sikhism, first came to Gur&#363 Amar D&#257s at Goindv&#257l escorted by Bh&#257&#299 P&#257ro, a prominent Sikh of &#7692all&#257, a village in present-day Kap&#363rthal&#257 district of the Punjab. It is said that returning from K&#257bul once with 500 newly purchased horses, he was held up near Goindv&#257l owing to the River Be&#257s being in spate. He had not been there long before he saw someone tearing across the swollen river on horseback from the opposite bank. This was Bh&#257&#299 P&#257ro coming to make his daily obeisance to Gur&#363 Amar D&#257s. All&#257y&#257r was still wondering at the man's daring when Bh&#257&#299 P&#257ro was again seen emerging from Goindv&#257l and preparing to plunge into the river on his way back. All&#257y&#257r beckoned him to come near him and asked him what made him run such a great risk. Bh&#257&#299 P&#257ro replied that he had his Gur&#363's protection and felt no risk of any kind. The intrigued merchant begged him to take him to the Gur&#363 who inspired such faith and confidence in the heart of his disciple. He was led into the Gur&#363's presence and was converted at first sight. Gur&#363 Amar D&#257s remarked to him: "It is difficult to become a <i>y&#257r</i> (friend) of Allah (God), but I shall make God thy Master and thee His servant. " 'All&#257y&#257r became a disciple. He left his trade to his son, and devoted himself whole heartedly to the Gur&#363's service. Gur&#363 Amar D&#257s appointed him head of a m&#257ñj&#299 or diocese to preach the word of Gur&#363 N&#257nak. In later life, All&#257y&#257r came to reside near his friend Bh&#257&#299 P&#257ro, at village &#7692all&#257, where a shrine in honour of his memory still exists.</p> </font> <p class="BIB"> BIBLIOGRAPHY<p class="C1"><ol class="C1"><li class="C1"> Santokh Si&#7749gh, Bh&#257&#299, <i>Sr&#299 Gur Prat&#257p S&#363raj Granth</i>. Amritsar, 1926-37<BR> <li class="C1"> Gi&#257n Si&#7749gh, Gi&#257n&#299, <i>Tw&#257r&#299<u>kh</u> Gur&#363 <u>Kh</u>&#257ls&#257</i> [Reprint]. Patiala, 1970<BR> </ol><p class="CONT">Balb&#299r Si&#7749gh Dil<br></p><BR> </font> <img src="counter.aspx" width="1px" height="1px" alt=""> </HTML></BODY>