Sahih al-Bukhari 1861
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 28: Penalty of Hunting while on Pilgrimage · Hajj of women
Narrated Aisha (mother of the faithful believers):
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ ، حَدَّثَنَا حَبِيبُ بْنُ أَبِي عَمْرَةَ ، قَالَ حَدَّثَتْنَا عَائِشَةُ بِنْتُ طَلْحَةَ ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَلاَ نَغْزُوا وَنُجَاهِدُ مَعَكُمْ فَقَالَ " لَكُنَّ أَحْسَنُ الْجِهَادِ وَأَجْمَلُهُ الْحَجُّ، حَجٌّ مَبْرُورٌ " . فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ فَلاَ أَدَعُ الْحَجَّ بَعْدَ إِذْ سَمِعْتُ هَذَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Shouldn't we participate in Holy battles and Jihad along with you?" He replied, "The best and the most superior Jihad (for women) is Hajj which is accepted by Allah." `Aisha added: Ever since I heard that from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) I have determined not to miss Hajj.