Is it obligatory for a woman experiencing irregular bleeding (istihadah) to use alujām (a piece of cloth tied like a diaper) or is it only recommended if the blood is just a few drops that do not go beyond the underwear, and are sanitary pads sufficient for an unmarried girl who fears for her virginity if the blood is very scant?

A woman experiencing Istihada (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding) must insert a cotton pad or similar material to prevent the blood from flowing out. If this is insufficient, she should bind a cloth tightly around the area. The more authoritative opinion (al-arjah) is that insertion (hashw) is obligatory because it is more effective in preventing blood flow. Scholars have exempted a fasting woman from the obligation of insertion so that it does not affect her fast, or if she is harmed by the accumulation of blood. She must wash her private parts, bind them, and block the blood's exit point as much as possible before performing ablution (wudu). There is no difference between a virgin and a non-virgin regarding these rulings; a virgin should attempt to stop the blood in a way that does not remove her virginity, and if this is insufficient, she should use a binding (talajjum).