Earlier this year, a video was publicized in Arabic media of a fatwa by Sheikh Osama Qusi, saying that a man is allowed to surreptitiously watch his potential wife bathing in order to make sure that she is attractive enough for him. (no translation)
It is being highlighted in some end-of-year collections of outlandish fatwas.
“If you were really honest and wanted to marry that woman, and you were able to hide and watch her in secret, see the things that she wouldn’t usually let you see before marrying her, then it is acceptable as long as your intentions are pure.” Qusi said.
“One of the Prophet’s companions did that. Some disapproved and told him: ‘How do you do that when you’re one of the Prophet’s companions?’ The Prophet answered: ‘If you can see something that would make you want to marry her then go ahead and do it.’”
It was immediately slammed by many Arabs. The Egyptian Minister of Religious Endowments, Mohammad Mukhta, responded, “Where is the glory and masculinity in watching a woman shower? Would you allow this to happen to your daughter?"
The fatwa seems to be contradicted by a hadith that says "If any person peeps at you without your permission and you poke him with a stick and injure his eye, you will not be blamed." But maybe that allowance is only for men.