Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks about the classification of marriage (Nikah) under Muslim personal law. The classification is based on the legal validity and enforceability of the marital contract.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Under Hanafi (Sunni) law, which is followed by the majority of Muslims in India, marriages are classified into three categories based on their legal validity:
1. Sahih (Valid): A marriage that fulfills all the legal requirements and confers all rights and obligations.
2. Batil (Void): A marriage that is unlawful from its inception (e.g., marriage prohibited by reasons of consanguinity or affinity). It confers no legal rights or obligations.
3. Fasid (Irregular): A marriage that is not completely void but has some legal impediment that can be rectified. For example, a marriage without the required number of witnesses. It has limited legal consequences until the irregularity is removed.
This three-fold classification is a standard and widely accepted legal framework.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Based on the standard legal classification in Sunni jurisprudence, there are three types of Muslim marriage: Valid (Sahih), Void (Batil), and Irregular (Fasid).