we would like to make it clear that wearing hijab is not a condition to read, touch, or refer to the Qur’an. As for touching the Qur’an, it is highly recommended to be in state of wudu’.
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: According to the majority of scholars, it is not permissible to hold or touch the Glorious Qur’an (mushaf) without wudu’ (ablution). The same rule applies to carrying or holding parts of the Qur’an such as surat Yasin or other surahs printed separately without additional commentaries or explanations. Since they are all considered Qur’an, wudu’ is necessary for holding or carrying them.
There are, however, certain exceptions to the above rule:
Firstly, it is considered permissible for students and teachers to hold or carry the Qur’an without wudu’, and this exception is based on the rule of necessity. In other words, requiring them to make wudu’ every time they hold or carry the Qur’an would cause undue hardship, and thus be an obstacle in the way of learning or memorizing the Qur’an.
Secondly, although it is generally not permissible to hold or carry the Qur’an without wudu’, it is still permissible to hold works of Tafsir, books of du`a’ or Islamic books which contain significant portions of the Qur’an, provided that the amount of non-Qur’anic material is greater than the amount of Qur’an itself.
Having said this, we must also point out that there are some scholars, including some eminent Companions such as Ibn `Abbas – who say: Wudu’ is not an essential condition for holding or touching the Qur’an. These scholars allow people to hold the Qur’an or carry it without wudu’ if they so desire, as long as they are free of major impurity (state of janabah).
In conclusion, let us say: It is highly recommended for a Muslim to try his/her best to always be in a state of wudu’ (ablution) while holding or carrying the Qur’an. But if he/she cannot do so due to exceptional circumstances, it is permissible to do so without incurring sin.”
On the issue of wearing hijab (headscarf) while reading the Qur’an, Dr. Marawan Shahin, Professor of Hadith and its Sciences, Faculty of Usul Ad-Din (Islamic Theology), Al-Azhar Univ., states: Though it’s not a condition to cover the `Awrah while reading the Qur’an, it’s far better and recommended to read the Qur’an while one is in the best form of dignity and modesty, for the Qur’an is the Words of Allah, Most High. Therefore, covering the `Awrah while reading the Qur’an is recommended, thought not obligatory.
Therefore, as a lady you are not obliged to wear hijab while reading the Qur’an, especially in the case of referring to a particular verse for a clarification and such.