Who is Al-Khidr: Is he a prophet?

Al-Khidr is the righteous servant mentioned in Surat Al-Kahf, and his name is Balya. He was named Al-Khidr because he sat on a white patch of earth (farwah) and it vibrated beneath him with greenery (khadraa'), and what is meant by "farwah" is the surface of the earth. Scholars have differed concerning him; the majority hold that he was a prophet, while others say he was a righteous servant but not a prophet.