Can I say my shahada in English?

What you would say in English

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." Some people say "no god but God", which carries the same meaning. If you say this sincerely, believing it in your heart, you have entered Islam.

Allah's message has always reached people in words they understand. He knows every language, and He knows what's in your heart.

What scholars say

The majority of scholars, including many Hanafi, Shafi'i and Hanbali authorities, accept the shahada in any language when the meaning is correct. Some scholars prefer that a person who can manage the Arabic says it in Arabic, since these are the words used across the Muslim world and in the prayer. In practice, nearly every imam does both: you repeat the Arabic in short parts, then say the English so it's clear you understood.

Why learn the Arabic anyway

• You'll use it every day. The shahada is part of the tashahhud in every prayer, and you'll hear it in the call to prayer.
• It connects you to Muslims everywhere, whatever language they speak at home.
• It's short. "Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah" takes a few minutes to learn.

You don't need to master Arabic before becoming Muslim, though. See Do I need to learn Arabic before I become Muslim?

What about saying it alone or online?

Language and location don't change the core rule: sincere belief plus a clear declaration. Many people say it with an imam for support and paperwork, but some say it alone or on a video call. See Can I take my shahada online? And once you're Muslim, you can talk to Allah in English in your personal duas. See Can I make dua in English?