How to actually compose a verse[shair] in traditional Urdu poetry

The proper way to compose a verse (shair) in traditional urdu poetry

When we read a shair, first we read the line one and then after that second line. We read the whole ghazal or nazam like that, but that’s not how you compose a shair. Instead you compose the second line first and according to the subject of second line create the first line. For example some mosque’s main door or veranda has the following shair written on it.

Chirag-o-masjid-o-mehrab-o-member
Abu Bakar-o-Omer-o-Usman-o-Haider

Poet Nooh narvi wrote several first line that compliment the second line:

1. Fazeelat main maratib main baraber
Abu Bakar-o-Omer-o-Usman-o-Haider

2. Meri kashtee karain gay par ay Nooh
Abu Bakar-o-Omer-o-Usman-o-Haider

So that’s how you compose a shair! Create the second line first and then according to the subject of it write the first line. You can create several version of the first line and then choose the best one and complete the shair.