Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Responding to these doubts begins with establishing the existence of Allah, because belief in the angels, the jinn, Paradise, and Hell is based on belief in the Creator, Glorified and Exalted.
Does Islam Contradict Science Regarding the Beginning of Creation?
No. Islam does not say that human beings were created before the Earth. Rather, the Quran tells us that Allah informed the angels that He would place a successor on Earth, which indicates that the Earth existed before Adam (peace be upon him) was created.
Reason itself points to the existence of a Creator. Every created thing must have a creator, and the universe cannot create itself or come into existence without a cause. Allah says:
“Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]?”
Why Does Allah Punish the Disbelievers?
Allah does not wrong anyone. Rather, He sent messengers, revealed scriptures, and established the proof for people. Whoever believes and obeys will have Paradise, while whoever disbelieves after the proof has been established and arrogantly rejects the truth deserves punishment.
If there were no judgment, the oppressor and the oppressed, and the righteous and the corrupt, would ultimately be treated alike. This would contradict the justice recognized by reason and human nature.
Allah says:
“Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals? What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?”
How Should an Atheist Be Invited to Islam?
An atheist should be invited with wisdom and gentleness. The discussion should begin with the fundamental question of the existence of the Creator. Once this is established, it becomes easier to accept what Allah and His Messenger have informed us about matters of the unseen, while continuing to pray for the person’s guidance and remaining patient in dialogue.
Conclusion
Islam does not contradict established facts, nor does it teach that human beings were created before the Earth. The foundation for responding to atheism is to establish the existence of Allah, His wisdom, and His justice. Reward and punishment in the Hereafter are based on justice after the proof has been established, not on injustice or purposelessness.
And Allah knows best.