What are the major areas in which misunderstandings are found in Islam?

Misunderstanding occur in two major areas: Creedal beliefs and Practices

Creedal beliefs

Islam teaches belief in one God.[1] The origin of all religions preaches the belief in one God. The difference between Islam and other religions is its uniqueness. We believe in the unique oneness of Allah unlike other religions. The attributes of Allah are unique to Him alone, without any comparison to that of His creation. For example, man sees and loves but the seeing of Allah and His love is not comparable to him- it is infinite and not imaginable.[2]

All other religions do not profess this. The attributes of God have been given to men, in all other religions. Objects of human end up being worshipped in some shape or form.

References: 

[1] Ibn Abi Al- Izz, Creed of Tahawi, pp. 1-22

[2] Sheikh ul Islam Ibn Tamiya, Sharh Aqeedah ul Wasatiyah, pp. 44-48