Alif is a gray hat hacker of mixed Arabic and Indian heritage living in the modern-day Persian Gulf. He runs a data encryption service to protect locals from strict government censorship, operating under the first letter of the Arabic alphabet to mask his true identity. Uncomfortable with his lower-class background, he prefers the safety of computers over face-to-face interactions and uses his technical skills to avoid confronting his personal insecurities.

Dina is Alif's childhood friend and neighbor who chooses to wear a veil, an unusual decision for a woman of her lower-class status. She possesses a quiet strength and remains grounded in her faith, contrasting sharply with Alif's heavy reliance on technology. She acts as a stabilizing force in his life and bravely faces the physical dangers that arise from his hacking activities.

Vikram is a jinn and an underground thug who operates a hidden tent in the city. He has a predatory humor and shifts his physical appearance based on the spiritual beliefs of those looking at him. Despite his intimidating reputation, he frequently aids humans and serves as a dangerous but necessary guide through the unseen layers of the city.

Abbas Al Shehab, known as the Hand of God, is a wealthy prince and state agent. He acts as the terrifying personification of the government's harsh internet censorship program, actively hunting down hackers who bypass state controls. He projects absolute authority and stops at nothing to secure ancient knowledge to expand his surveillance capabilities.

An American student who moved to the Middle East to study ancient texts and has recently changed her religion to Islam. She brings an academic perspective to the mysteries Alif uncovers. Her expertise in archival sciences helps the group understand the historical weight of the ancient book they carry.

Sheikh Bilal oversees a local mosque and acts as a philosophical mentor to those seeking refuge. He possesses unfocused blue eyes that hint at his ability to perceive things beyond the physical world. He frequently debates the spiritual implications of digital actions, comparing religious devotion to the precise mechanisms of a computer.

Intisar is an aristocratic young woman who maintains a secret relationship with Alif until family pressure forces her to accept an arranged marriage. Secure in her wealthy status, she highlights the vast social divide between the upper and lower classes. Her parting gift of an ancient book inadvertently plunges Alif into a massive conflict with the state.

NewQuarter is a prominent figure in the gray hat community who vanished from the online world. His early efforts to spread information freely inspired a generation of coders. He maintains a hidden life while continuing to oppose the state's severe crackdowns on free expression.

Sakina is a jinn residing in the Immovable Alley who lacks any discernible ethnic traits. She possesses a deep historical understanding of magical artifacts and helps authenticate ancient texts. She maintains a rare trust in certain humans and provides essential information to Vikram.

Azalel is Vikram's sister, a jinn who frequently observes the human world. She regularly takes the form of a black and orange street cat that lingers outside Alif's apartment building. She forms a protective attachment to the young hacker after he shows her kindness.

Abdulla is a fellow gray hat hacker who collaborates with Alif on complex coding problems. He operates from his own apartment and maintains a healthy, practical fear of the state's surveillance capabilities. He provides crucial underground contacts when Alif is forced to go on the run.