Hassan Rouhani also said Muslim countries had been "silent in the face of all the killing and bloodshed" in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
In a broadcast on state television, the president said it was "our greatest duty today to correct the image of Islam in world public opinion".
The comments are unusual for an Iranian leader, although Mr Rouhani has made improving relations with the West a feature of his presidency.
In his address, Mr Rouhani said: "Did we ever think that, instead of enemies, an albeit small group from within the Islamic world using the language of Islam, would present it as the religion of killing, violence, whips, extortion and injustice?"
He said Islamic principles opposed violence and he added that the extremism of groups such as so-called Islamic State came from "narrow-mindedness and a lack of moderation".
Crucially for the region, Iran has been involved in broad talks on how to restore peace to Syria and tackle the problem of IS.
Iran supports Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and has condemned IS.
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