• About
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    In 2009, Zaytuna College was founded in Berkeley, California, with a mission that called for grounding students in the Islamic scholarly tradition as well as in the cultural currents and critical ideas shaping modern society.

  • Academics
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    As a Muslim liberal arts college in the West, Zaytuna offers a curriculum that provides its students with a foundation in the intellectual heritage of two major world civilizations: the Islamic and the Western.

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  • Admissions & Aid
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    Our mission is to educate students to become morally, intellectually, and spiritually accomplished individuals ready to contribute to our contemporary world in ways that are proportionate to their gifts and to the needs of human society.

     

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  • Campus Life
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    Zaytuna’s campus is on Holy Hill and students enter the College as part of a cohort, a community of learners that travel together through the curriculum.

Honor Code

Honor Code

Zaytuna College seeks to foster a community of learning and to provide an atmosphere consistent with the ideals and principles of Islam. As such, the College has formulated the Honor Code, a statement of six core principles related to personal conduct. The College has also established policies that clarify and further the principles embodied in the Honor Code that regulate behavior both on and off campus. 

All students, including students who are not Muslim, must, upon enrollment, and each year at the
beginning of the fall semester, sign a pledge to abide by the Honor Code and all College policies.

Serious or repeated violations of the Honor Code, College policies, or both will result in
sanctions that may include suspension or expulsion from the College.

Principle One: Personal Accountability

The first principle of the Honor Code is to hold oneself personally accountable for one’s actions, remembering that God will hold each person accountable.

“So, by your Lord, We will question them all about what they have been doing.” (Qur’an, 15:92–93)

Principle Two: Timeliness

The second principle requires students to value time—their own and that of others—and to be punctual for classes, appointments, and meetings; to submit assignments on time; and to generally treat time as a precious commodity that should not be squandered. Thoughtful use of one’s time, effective use of time management strategies, and respect for other people’s time are integral to this principle.

“And fulfill promises, for the promise will be questioned.” (Qur’an, 17:34)

“The Prophet [s] once had an appointment with one of his companions. The companion came three days later. The Prophet [s] gently told him, ‘You have inconvenienced me, as I have been waiting for you for three days.’” (Hadith)

Principle Three: Maintaining Integrity, Respect, and Trust

The third principle requires being honest, respecting the rights of others, keeping commitments, fulfilling promises, and maintaining trust. By virtue of accepting admission to the College, a student agrees to be fully dedicated to each and every course, to meet all course requirements in the best way, and to fulfill the trust inherent in being a student of knowledge.

“O no! In the case of he who keeps his promise and is conscientious, surely God loves the conscientious.” (Qur’an, 3:76)

“Three traits single out a hypocrite, even if he prays or fasts and claims to be Muslim: If he speaks, he lies. If he makes a promise, he does not keep it. If he is trusted, he betrays the trust.” (Hadith)

Principle Four: Cleanliness

The fourth principle requires one to be clean, to maintain tidy living quarters, and to do one’s part in keeping other College facilities clean. Good personal hygiene, as well as neat and modest clothing, is part of the adab of Zaytuna students. The outer cleanliness of one’s person and one’s living and studying environment should mirror, God willing, the inner cleanliness and purity of one’s heart and intentions.

“God loves those who purify themselves.” (Qur’an, 9:108)

Principle Five: Modesty and Propriety in Dress and Behavior

The fifth principle requires propriety and modesty, which includes being humble in speech and deed, respecting others, maintaining appropriate boundaries, refraining from obtrusive behaviors, and dressing and behaving modestly and appropriately. It is essential that students work to maintain good opinions of others and to avoid unnecessary negative speech, as well as rude behaviors, such as interrupting others who are speaking.

“Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should say something good or remain silent.” (Hadith)

“It is bad manners to overwhelm someone while speaking and to interrupt them before they end their talk.” (Al-Haytham b. ¢Adī, scholar and historian)

Principle Six: Sobriety and Restraint

The sixth principle requires sobriety and restraint. This means that alcohol, drugs, gambling, and inappropriate relationships and behaviors are categorically forbidden. Restraint from aggressive speech and behavior, including dangerous or reckless behavior, is essential for the Zaytuna student.

“They ask you about wine and betting. Say: ‘There is great sin in them, and also advantages for people; but their sin is greater than their advantage.’” (Qur’an, 2:219)

Students should seek help from faculty and staff if they are dealing with personal, academic, or spiritual difficulties that may lead them to engage in proscribed behaviors. The Director of Student Life, as well as the Khalil Center, are available to assist students who need help with their problems.