Is al-Khidr a prophet or a close friend of Allah?

Question:
Is al-Khidr a prophet or a close friend of Allah?

Answer:
There is scholarly disagreement on this. Some hold that he is a close friend of Allah, and that the events that occurred through his hands—such as damaging the ship, killing the boy, and building the wall—are miracles granted to a righteous person (karamah). Others hold that he is a prophet, because such matters do not occur except through the hand of a prophet. Allah knows best. It has been said that he is a prophet, and it has been said that he is a close friend of Allah among the awliya (close friends of Allah). There is disagreement on this issue. I was told that Shaykh 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) held the stronger view that he is a prophet and considered these matters to be prophetic miracles, while others consider them to be miracles granted to a righteous person (karamah), indicating that he is a close friend of Allah. Allah knows best. Yes.