Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 29, Hadith 84 (USC-MSA) ⓘ
Narrated Ibrahim's grand-father that 'Umar(ra) in his last Hajj allowed the wives of the Prophetto perform Hajj and he sent with them 'Uthman bin 'Affan(ra) and 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf(ra) as escorts.
وَقَالَ لِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَذِنَ عُمَرُ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ لأَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي آخِرِ حَجَّةٍ حَجَّهَا، فَبَعَثَ مَعَهُنَّ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ وَعَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ عَوْفٍ.
also referenced under: Book 28, Hadith 40 (In-Book) & Hadith 1860 (DarusSalam)
Narrated Aisha (mother of the faithful believers): I said, "O Allah's Messenger! 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 I have determined not to miss Hajj.
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.
also referenced under: Book 28, Hadith 41 (In-Book) & Hadith 1861 (DarusSalam)