How authentic is the Hadith: "Many men attained perfection, but none among women did except Maryam, daughter of 'Imran, and Asiya, wife of Pharaoh. And the superiority of 'Aisha over other women is like the superiority of Tharid over all other food"?

Scholars have differed regarding the meaning of the perfection of women mentioned in the Hadith. The preponderant view is that it refers to the perfection of wilaya (sainthood/guardianship) and siddiqiyya (truthfulness/righteousness), and not prophethood, for there has never been a female prophet according to the consensus of scholars. The texts of the Sharia indicate that the highest rank attained by Maryam (peace be upon her) was siddiqiyya. Similarly, Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) is superior to Asiyah, and if Asiyah had been a prophetess, Fatimah would not have been better than her. As for Aisha's superiority over women, it is like the superiority of tharid over all other food. This does not necessarily mean her superiority over Maryam and Asiyah; rather, it may refer to her superiority over the women of this Ummah. Preferring among the female companions requires detailing the aspects of their virtues, as each of them possesses her own merits.