The Ruling Concerning a Women Looking at Men on Television and on the Streets.
Question:
What is the ruling concerning a women looking at men on television or casual looks in the streets?
Answer:
A women looking at a man must be one of two cases, regardless of whether it be on television or otherwise.
First, is a look with lust. This is forbidden as it contains evil and temptation.
Second, is a simple look free of any kind of lust and desire. There is no harm in that kind of look according to the correct opinion of the scholars. It is permissible because it is confirmed in the Sahihs of al-Bukhari and Muslim that Aisha [radiallaahu 'anhaa] watched the Abyssinians doing their war dance. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi-wasallam) was concealing her from them and he approved of what she was doing.
Furthermore, women walk in the streets and they look at men although they are wearing hijab . A women may look at a man even though he may not see her. However, this is conditional that the look not be accompanied with lust, desire or temptation, then it is forbidden regardless of whether it be on television or otherwise.
Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen
Islamic Fatawa Regarding Women - Darussalam Pg. 180-181.
