Can the marriage proceed despite a bad Istikhara result, given that the families were initially satisfied with the guy's religiousness and hardworking nature before the Istikhara was done?
I was proposed to. After multiple meetings, families were satisfied with everything. It felt like exactly what I prayed for. After over a year when they were to finalize things, families insisted on doing Istikhara - despite being capable of deciding without it. Istikhara results turned out bad. Now they are upset and regret doing it. I'm heartbroken. Can we still go ahead with the marriage after giving Sadqa? Some scholars say we should wait for a circumstance change but we don't know what circumstance change to wait for and for how long.
Istekhara is not obligatory in every situation. Istekhara is seeking guidance when you are unable to decide. If the matter was clear for you, then there is no need for Istekhara. Unnecessary Istekhara is not binding.
'Wassalam.