Is there a definition out there? Who qualifies and who doesnt?
"a scholar should know arabic. Should know the basic of fiqh (usoolul figh) and should know about Fiqh in details, about the 4 school of thoughts and what they have brought into the religion, he should understand the issue he is being asked about and be able to visualise it in 360 degree, if he doesnt know what the questionner is talking about he should research and inform himself."
this is my simplified version from a talk i heard, this is the "definition" Sheikh Aseem AlHakeem gave (simplified by me). I think its a pretty good definition, but you know me...
So...Would you agree?
PS: whats usoolulfiqh?
the Usool of fiqh. How to make rulings and derrivations from the qur'an and sunnah.
As for what a scholar is... I doubt there is a fixed definition and not everyone can know everything.
I would say they should have studied Islam for a number of years, but they cannot realistically know everything, just "a lot" and in enough detail to be able to explain it to others etc in a correct and convincing manner.
After that, there can be ranks such as "mufti" - someone who can give fatwa and traditionally I think this required permission (or ijaaza) from an existing school or scholar who vouches that the person is capable of it. There are other ranks too such as shaykh ul hadith etc, and many of them will be given by a scholar or institution in probably a similar way as you get A levels, degrees or masters from other educational institutes.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.