I have a Korean friend who is atheist, he doesn't believe in God. And he told me that the only way he would believe is to see Allaah because they believe in science. And he said that the most developed countries in the world are Japan, Korea and China because they don't have any religion. I would like you to help me in responding to him and inviting him to Islam.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

The claim of this man that he does not believe except in what he sees is wrong and he is the first one to deny this himself. He believes in many things that he does not see but only sees their impact. For instance, he believes in the gravity but does not see except its effect, and believes in the electric current but does not see except its impact and so on. Therefore, a person who ponders upon the world around him knows that this universe has a Creator. Allaah says (which means): {We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Qur'an) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a witness over all things?}[41:53]. It is impossible to believe that something exists by itself without someone having created it or made it. A person who ponders over the modern inventions would know that it is impossible for them to exist by chance. So if this is impossible, how can it be possible for us to believe that this world with all its precision, system and order exists without a Creator; a Creator who is Perfect from all deficiencies and imperfections? Allaah says (which means): {Were they created by nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they have no firm belief.}[52:35-36]. In addition to this, every creature has a  natural predisposition to believe in his Creator, and he is in need of Allaah and in need to return to him at times of difficulties and hardship no matter what his current inclination may be. Allaah says (which means): {And when they board a ship, they supplicate Allaah, sincere to Him in religion [i.e. faith and hope]. But when He delivers them to the land, at once they associate others with Him.}[29:65]. Claiming that the reason of development is disbelief in Allaah and His religion, is a wrong claim that has no foundation. On the contrary Islamic religion advocates progress in all fields that are important in our worldly life and in our religion and the Muslims did not deteriorate except when they neglected their religion and abandoned a good part of the message that was sent to them. It is indeed wrong to believe that the situation of the Muslims today accurately reflects the importance of Islam. So if a person wants to judge with justice he has to look to the first generation and the generation after it when the nations of the world were under Muslim rule. The western countries and others did not develope in industry and in other important innovations until they utilized the sciences developed by Muslims many years ago.

The testimonies of the just western people testify to this. Moreover, the atheists and non-Muslims have not reached this technological progress because of disbelief and abandoning the Religion of Allaah. But they have reached this status because of their effort in reaching and obtaining the utmost of this worldly life. Allaah says (which means): {Whoever desires the life of this world and its adornments — We fully repay them for their deeds therein, and they therein will not be deprived. Those are the ones for whom there is not in the Hereafter but the Fire. And of no effect is that which they used to do.}[11:15-16].

Allaah knows best.