The book Sitara-e-Qaisarah [Star of the Empress] was written by the Promised Messiah(as) on 20 August 1899 and published on 24 August 1899. In this brief exposition, the Promised Messiah(as) has presented, in a new light, the same views expressed in his book Tohfa-e-Qaisariyyah [A Gift for the Queen], which was written on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria. In this book, the Promised Messiah(as) has once again commended the British government for granting peace, security and religious freedom to all its subjects. He has then refuted the false doctrine of the advent of a militant Messiah and Mahdi, who according to some, would presumably, coerce the world into accepting Islam. Furthermore, he has also beautifully removed misconceptions surrounding the concept of Jihad and clearly expounds that Islam was never spread by the sword, nor is religious compulsion permitted in Islam. The Promised Messiah(as) then goes on to beautifully explain that the Christian concept of atonement, which logically results in Jesus(as) bearing the burden of curse, is a dishonour to the pure and holy person of Jesus(as). Finally, the Promised Messiah(as) has presented his claim as being the Promised Messiah and Mahdi of the latter days, awaited by all world religions.
In 2012, on the auspicious occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community published the English translation of Tohfa-e-Qaisariyyah [A Gift for the Queen]. Now, Allah the Exalted has enabled us to publish the English translation of Sitara-e-Qaisarah [Star of the Empress]. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in the United Kingdom in 1913 and had the honour of building London’s first ever mosque, known as the Fazl Mosque or the London Mosque.
This book was translated from Urdu into English by Sharmeen Butt and the initial review was done by Mohamed Arshad Ahmedi. The text was revised and prepared for print by Ayyaz Mahmood Khan. May Allah the Exalted reward them all abundantly. Amin.
Munir-ud-Din Shams
Additional Vakilut-Tasnif London,
United Kingdom
April 2013