It is narrated from Ibn Sirin (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding Shurayh (may Allah have mercy on him) that if someone secretly agreed upon a dowry (mahr) for marriage and publicly declared a higher amount, then Shurayh (may Allah have mercy on him) considered the secret (mahr) valid and the public one invalid. Hisham said: "This is also our opinion."

It is narrated from Hasan al-Basri (may Allah have mercy on him) that he used to say: "A secret (dowry) is valid and an open one is invalid."

This narration is also from Hazrat Shurayh (may Allah have mercy on him) that what is done secretly is correct and what is done openly is invalid.

It is narrated from Hazrat Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) that he used to say: "Public declaration should be chosen."

Amir narrates from Hazrat Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) that he used to say: "Public declaration should be chosen."

It is narrated from Hazrat Sha'bi (may Allah have mercy on him) that he used to say: "Public declaration should be chosen." Hisham said: Ibn Abi Layla also used to say: "Public declaration should be chosen."