How can one respond to a friend who believes that religion contradicts science and history, doubts concepts such as angels and jinn, and questions the wisdom behind 80% of people being burned in Hell?

First: Muslim and other scholars have proven the invalidity of Darwin's theory, and that the existence of similarity between living creatures is evidence of the oneness of the Creator, not the oneness of origin. Islam believes in the existence of Allah the Creator, and that man was created from clay then from a drop of fluid. The proofs for the existence of the Creator are evident, for the perfectly crafted creatures did not create themselves nor did they come into existence without a creator; rather, Allah, the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful, created them. Belief in angels and jinn is a branch of belief in Allah, His books, and His messengers.

Second: It is not stated in Islam that Allah first created humans and then created the earth for them. Rather, the earth and heavens were created before humans. The proof for this is that Allah informed the angels that He would place a vicegerent on earth before the creation of Adam.

Third: Objecting to the creation of Hellfire and the entry of many people into it is an objection from one who does not believe in justice. Allah created people and sent messengers to them. Among them are the guided and among them are the wretched. The righteous and the corrupt are not equal. Therefore, punishment and reward are necessary for achieving justice, and belief in them is a branch of belief in Allah, His books, and His messengers.