Walaikkum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
Just intended to pen down some of my thoughts regarding this. I hope this will be a very good reminder for myself (First!) and also, others. Also, most parts of my post is relevant to those of us living in a non-muslim country.
It is true that media potrays us negatively and wrongly, sometime out of context and exagerrated. But, I would like to say it is because we (some sections of muslims) have given them a reason to do so. There is really something wrong with the type of Dawa'h some people do. For example, some call Jews as pigs or calling for homosexuals to be murdered or adulterers to be murdered[i.e. in a non-muslim country without any Islamic govt.]. Is this how the Prophets of Islam (Peace be upon all of them) did their dawah? No, rather they called to Islam and Tawheed with patience and kindness. Sometimes, by our attitude, we make people run away from Islam. Not just non-muslims, even the muslims who don't practice properly and when we try to enjoin them upon goodness, they run away because of the manner we call them. It reminds me of a hadith
Narrated by Anas bin Malik
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, "Facilitate things to people (concerning religious matters), and do not make it hard for them and give them good tidings and do not make them run away (from Islam)."
Most of the time, we are busy measuring or judging others. We are strict and judgemental about others. But, when it comes to us, we find excuses and very lenient. We hesitate to forgive fellow muslims but we easily forgive ourselves and forget our mistakes. We have islam on our tongues, but the heart is somewhere else. Maybe we should spend some time pondering about ourselves and correcting ourselves.
Secondly, Islam has legislated rights for everyone. Rights for parents, children, relatives, fellow muslims, animals, rulers and even non-muslims. When you give the everyone the right they are entitled to, you will get a better treatment from them by the will of Allah. Non-muslims even have rights, they don't deserve to be called dogs or any other derogatory terms. When we do that, they start hating us and since we represent islam, they also start hating islam. We have to be concious all the time that we are representing islam (or the non-muslims perceive so) in every action of ours. This applies even when we are in masjids or talking with fellow muslims. We see news of secret agents posing as muslims infiltrating youth muslim group to talk with them and extract information of what we speak about. Sometimes, some youths talk bad about non-muslims in derogatory manner within themselves and when they interact with the non-muslims, they are all kind and good, i.e. two faced. And when it is exposed, it is all over the news and they label that all muslims want to murder jews, homosexuals, and adulterers. So, that means we should be the same truthful muslims everywhere. We shouldn't be shy to tell people what the Qur'an and Sunnah says. Of course, it doesn't call for murder of jews, homosexuals or adulterers. So, when even some muslims says something like that, we should correct them and tell them, this is not from Islam. We shouldn't hide the truth. Also, while speaking, we should speak not only with knowledge but also, with wisdom. This is the advice I mostly get from Scholars regarding Dawa'h. If you talk harsh with people, they will not agree because they don't like your manners, they wont listen to your words. But, when you talk to them with kindness, they will start to reason.
Most of things I have said above is inspired from Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee who said there are two important things for the rectification of our condition: Tasfiya and Tarbiya. (Purification and Education). I will post parts of it here :
From Fiqhul-Waaqi', pp. 49-51
Therefore, the key to a return of the glory of Islaam is:
Implementation of beneficial knowledge and establishing righteous and correct actions, and this is a very great affair with the Muslims cannot reach, except through the methodology (manhaj) of tasfiyah (purification and correction) and tarbiyah (education and cultivation). These being two very great obligations. By the first of these (i.e. tasfiyah), the following is intended:
1.. Purifying the Islamic Aqeedah from that which is alien to it, such as shirk, ta'teel, ta`weel, refusing authentic ahaadeeth, because they are connected to matters of 'aqeedah, and their like.
2.. Purifying the Islamic fiqh from erroneous judgements which are contrary to the Qur`aan and the Sunnah, freeing the minds from the fetters of blind-following and the darkness of sectarianism and party spirit.
3. Purifying the books of tafseer, fiqh and raqaa'iq (matters concerning the heart) and other than that from ahadeeth that are weak and fabricated, or the unsupported narrations from the people of the Book, and the reprehensible narrations.
As regards the second obligation (i.e. tarbiyah), then by it I mean: cultivating the young generation upon this Islaam, purified from all that we have mentioned, giving to them a correct Islamic education from the start - without any influence from the disbelieving western education. There is no doubt that bringing these two obligations about requires huge efforts and sincere cooperation between all Muslims, individuals and groups, from all those who are truly concerned with establishing the desired Islamic society, each one working in his own field and specialty."
Correct knowledge and correct manners - That is the key. Saying is easy, I know. But, that should be our Jihad. We should be in a constant process of cleansing ourselves and keeping ourselves in check with regard to manners.
When we do this, Allah will give victory to us and rectify our affairs and no one can harm us as Shaykh Al- Albaane quoted as apparent meaning of the Ayah : Allah says:
{O you who believe! Take care of your own selves. Those who are astray cannot harm you if you follow guidance.} [Aal Imraan: 105]
I hope this benefits all. Whatever I said correct is from Allah and whatever is wrong is from me and Shaytaan.
Btw, I recommend everyone to read this book -
Tasfiya & Tarbiya 
urification & Cultivation and the Need Muslims Have for Them by Shaykh Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaani
Wassalamu Alaikkum
's time. They were calling him a magician, and a man who would led you astray, someone who brings discontent between a father and a son, a brother with his brother etc.
