what qualifies somebody to be a scholar, and why are they respected by muslims so much?
surely anybody with a long enough beard can call themself a scholar?
Hmm That is a very simple question.. Yes .. beard and its length is very important. and if it is bit colored + if you are a converted from Western White Christian/Juice background you are a better Islamic scholar.
Along with that, In Islam
whoever SHOUTS loud and whoever remembers few verse of Quran here and there and who ever sings a good songs on Muhammad(PBUH) and his Sahaba and never use his/her own brain to analyze Islam, Islamic history early Islam and its scriptures is considered as Islamic Scholar.