How should Muslims deal with the misconceptions non-Muslims possess about Islam?

Answer 1

In order to convey the message of Islam, dialogue and debate become inevitable. The Glorious Qur'an says:

"Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious!"

[Al-Qur'an 16:125]

In conveying the message of Islam to a non-Muslim, it is usually not sufficient to highlight only the positive nature of Islam. Most non-Muslims are not convincedabout the truth of Islam because there are a few questions about Islam at the back of their minds that remain unanswered.

They may agree with your contentions about the positive nature of Islam. But, in the same breath, they will say - "Ah! But you are the same Muslims who marry more than one woman. You are the same people who subjugate women by keeping them behind the veil. You are fundamentalists, etc."

Whenever you ask a non-Muslim, "what do you feel is wrong in Islam? Sometimes there maybe circumstances where one may have to face some criticism, so he must patiently encounter such a scenario and try to resolve the matter with utmost grace and wisdom. If possible one should personally prefer asking the non-Muslims upfront, with their limited knowledge, whether right or wrong, from whichever source it may be, what they feel is wrong in Islam. It is highly encouraged in the religion to be very frank with them and open and nicely try and convince them towards the truth.

Insha'Allah he will be successful, if not in convincing non-Muslims about the complete truth of Islam, then at least in removing misconceptions and neutralizing the negative thinking about Islam and Muslims that the non-Muslims may have.