What is the juristic ruling if the husband claims a secret marriage contract with a low *mahr* and the wife confirms it, versus if she denies it?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Dowry (Mahr)
Primary text
If the husband claims a secret contract establishing the marriage with a low *mahr* and the wife confirms it, she is entitled only to that stated *mahr*. If she denies it, the statement is taken from her (the denier). If she admits to the secret contract but claims there were two separate marriages, while he claims it was one marriage that was secretly contracted and then revealed, her statement prevails because the second contract is presumed to be a valid contract carrying its own ruling. In this case, she is entitled to the *mahr* of the second contract and half the *mahr* of the first, provided he claims the other half was forfeited due to divorce before consummation. If he insists on denial, the wife is questioned. If she claims consummation occurred in the first marriage, followed by an irrevocable divorce, and then a second marriage, she may take what she claims if she swears to it.
Supporting text
If she admits to something that forfeits half or all of the *mahr*, that admission is binding upon her.