`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:
I said: "O Messenger of Allah! We consider Jihad as the best deed, should we not then go for Jihad?''
The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, "The best Jihad for you women is Hajj Mabrur (i.e., one accepted by Allah).''
[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary:
In ordinary circumstances, Hajj is the best of Jihad for women because in Islam, politics, economy, government, military affairs etc., come in the purview of men and men alone. Women are exempted from all such matters. However, in case of war, if the need arises, women can be engaged for supply of food, first-aid of the wounded etc., on the internal front, provided they can do such works without crossing the bounds of the Islamic-type veil. But imparting military training to women and dispatching them to war front are sheer imitations of the western nations for which there is no scope in the teachings of Islam. This Hadith also confirms this view.
Riyad-us-Saliheen – Hadith No :1276
