Home > Becoming a Muslim: the complete path > Is the shahada in English valid?
Pronouncing the testimony in English: is it valid to enter Islam? The scholars' position, the exact English text, and the method for moving on to Arabic.
Yes, according to the majority of scholars: conversion is valid in any language understood by the one who testifies, for the central condition is the heart's conviction and the understanding of what one pronounces. Arabic remains recommended as a universal formula and the new Muslim learns it afterwards: this page gives the exact English text, the Arabic pronunciation step by step, and the transition method.
Contents:
Updated on 17 October 2026 at 9:55 PM
📖 2 min readThe central condition of the shahada is the heart's conviction accompanied by an understood word: a testimony recited in a language the person does not understand contradicts the very first of all conditions, knowledge (al-'ilm). That is why the majority of scholars validate the pronunciation in any understood language: conversion in English is valid from the first sincere pronunciation. The Quran itself makes Allah, the angels and the people of knowledge testify: "none has the right to be worshiped except Him" (Quran 3:18).
Arabic remains recommended, first because the formula is universal and identical across the planet, then because it is that of the Quran and the prayer.
The practical rule given to converts is simple: testify now in your language, learn Arabic afterwards, without ever postponing conversion on the pretext of language.
"I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship besides Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." A simpler and equally valid version: "I believe that only Allah deserves worship and that Muhammad is His messenger." What counts is that the two parts of the testimony be clear: Allah's oneness, and the mission of His messenger. The page the shahada: text, pronunciation and meaning gives the detail word by word.
The converts' method works in three steps: read the transliteration aloud about ten times ("Ash-hadou an la ilaha illa-Llah, wa ash-hadou anna Mouhammadan rassoulou-Llah"), repeat it while looking at the Arabic text to link the sounds to the letters, then memorize it by using it: before the prayer, in the morning invocations. Within a few days, the Arabic formula becomes natural. The meaning, it, is already known: it is your conviction of the first day.
The prayer is recited in Arabic according to the majority of scholars, with the Fatiha and the essential formulas. A new Muslim has a learning period during which he does his best: that is accepted. The page how to learn the prayer details the path, and personal invocations after the prayer can remain in English without time limit.
Yes, according to the majority of scholars, if you understand it and believe it: the understood language prevails over the formula recited without understanding. Arabic is recommended, not required for entry into Islam.
It is not necessary, but it is a beautiful affirmation: many converts pronounce the Arabic formula before the imam later, for the certificate and the community.