Re: How do you qualify a scholar?
According to Quran and the sayings of Prophet Mohammad(S)
1.Seek knowledge even if that be in China.
A lovely sentiment, and one that shows the depth of thirst of knowledge in Islam (in complete contrast to teachings of Christianity where God loves a fool over a wise man), but unfortunately a fake hadith.
al–Albaanee *declares this hadith *mawdoo (fabricated) in ***Da’eef al-Jaami as-Sagheer* (#s 1005-1006).
ibn al–Jawzee **quotes ibn Hibbaan and says: “invalid/rejected, it has no basis”** ‘al–Mawdoo’aat’ (1/215).
The correct basis for this hadith goes: “S*eeking knowledge is an obligatory duty upon all Muslims*”. Any mention of China renders the hadith fabricated, but *hasn *(good) without it.