Is light bleeding that occurs five months after childbirth and the cessation of the menstrual period considered istihadah (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding), and is it permissible to read and hold the Qur’an and perform prayer with its supererogatory acts?

The blood that returns after a week has two scenarios: 1. Either it stops for fifteen days or less (which is the maximum duration of menstruation), in which case all of it is considered menses. 2. Or the total days of bleeding and the interspersed clean days exceed fifteen days, in which case you are considered to have irregular bleeding (istihada).

If you are experiencing irregular bleeding, you should act based on sound discernment (tamyiz). What resembles menstrual blood in its color, smell, and consistency is menses (provided it is not less than one day and one night, nor more than fifteen days), and what differs from it is irregular bleeding. If you do not have discernment, then refer to your usual cycle if you have one. If you have neither a usual cycle nor sound discernment, then observe the predominant custom of women (six or seven days), and what follows that is irregular bleeding.

Once we determine that you are experiencing irregular bleeding, you should perform one ghusl (ritual bath) after the menses days have ended. Then, for each prayer, perform wudu' (ablution) after taking precautions (such as using a pad), and pray with that ablution the obligatory prayer and whatever voluntary prayers you wish until the time for that prayer expires.