The times when it is permissible to recite Quran

It is permissible for you to recite Quran, or any soorah from it, at any time and in any situation, except when you are in a state of janaabah (impurity following sexual activity), in which case it is haraam to recite Quran, because of the hadith of ‘Ali who said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to recite Quran to us in all situations so long as he was not in a state of janaabah.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, al-Tahaarah, 136. al-Tirmidhi said: this hadith of ‘Ali is hasan saheeh). This was also the view of the scholars among the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the Taabi’een. They said a man may recite Quran without wudoo’ but he should not read from the Mus-haf unless he is taahir (pure, i.e., has wudoo’). This was the view of Sufyaan al-Thawri, al-Shaafa’i, Ahmad and Ishaaq. 

See Da’eef Sunan al-Tirmidhi by al-Albaani, hadith no. 22 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: The imams are agreed that it is haraam to recite Quran when in a state of janaabah. 

It is not proper etiquette to recite Quran when one is in a state of janaabah because it is the words of Allah which must be respected and venerated, and kept away from all unclean places and places where haraam things take place, which could dishonour it and show disrespect towards its sanctity. Moreover the person who is in a state of janaabah can remove the impurity whenever he wants, so he is not allowed to recite Quran. But if you are impure in the sense of minor impurity then it is permissible for you to recite only, without touching the Mus-haf. See question no. 10672. With regard to women when they are menstruating or bleeding following childbirth, see question no. 2564. And Allah knows best. 

See Tawdeeh Ahkaam al-Nisa’, 1/309.