The early history of Islam in lndoensia world is bewilderingly complex, not only in the context of the spread of Islam in the area, but also in the terms of its insitutional formation. This book, therefore, discusses such themes as the early introduction of lslam to the lndonesian archipelago, the development of lslamic learning, educational, and legal institutions. Bot least important, the book also reveals the religious, intellectual and political relations between lslam in the archipelago with that of the Arabian world. *** Professor Azyunardi Azra is a brilliant authority in lslam in lndonesia. No one interested in lndonesian lslam can afford to be without this book Professor M.C. Ricklefs - Department of History, National University of Singapore. Author of acclaimed book, A History of Modern lndonesia since c. 1200 (third edition, 2002) Professor Taufik Abdullah - Historian and Member of Akademi ilmu Pengetahuan lndonesia (AIPI)