Ella is a thirty-nine-year-old mother of three living in Northampton. She functions primarily as a homemaker and has settled into a passionless marriage with an unfaithful husband. Her life revolves around domestic routines until she takes a job reviewing manuscripts for a literary agency. This assignment introduces her to a completely different philosophy on life and love.

Aziz is a Sufi and the author of Sweet Blasphemy. Originally from Scotland, he travels the world and maintains a deeply spiritual, present-focused worldview. He lives a nomadic lifestyle that contrasts sharply with the highly structured domestic existence of his new email correspondent.

David is Ella's husband of twenty years and a successful dentist. He provides financial security for his family but chronically engages in extramarital affairs. He values the comfort of his domestic routine and remains largely disconnected from his wife's emotional needs.

Shams is a wandering Sufi dervish possessing mystical visions and an eccentric demeanor. He travels with the explicit purpose of finding a spiritual companion to share his knowledge of universal love. His unorthodox behavior frequently provokes outrage from conservative religious figures.

Rumi is a highly respected Islamic scholar and preacher in thirteenth-century Konya. Despite his wealth, loving family, and devoted followers, he experiences a deep spiritual void. His encounter with a wandering dervish radically alters his approach to faith, scholarship, and human connection.

Kerra is Rumi's second wife and the stepmother to his sons. As a Christian convert to Islam, she secretly maintains some of her previous religious practices. She manages the household and watches with growing concern as a wandering dervish upends their family dynamic.

Sultan Walad is the eldest son of Rumi and his late first wife. He possesses a calm, diplomatic temperament and strives to maintain peace within his family. He attempts to mediate the growing tensions between his rebellious younger brother and their father's new spiritual companion.

Aladdin is Rumi's youngest son, characterized by his deep-seated anger and feelings of inadequacy. He resents his father's intense focus on spiritual matters and actively despises the dervish who occupies his father's time. His jealousy pushes him toward hostile and rebellious actions.

Jeanette is the college-aged daughter of Ella and David. She possesses an idealistic view of romance that directly conflicts with her mother's pragmatic cynicism. Her determination to marry her boyfriend serves as a catalyst for her mother's reevaluation of love.

Kimya is the adopted daughter of Rumi and Kerra. Brought into the household because of her unique ability to see spirits, she becomes a dedicated student of her adoptive father. Her quiet life in Konya is disrupted when she develops an intense infatuation with the wandering dervish living in their home.

Desert Rose is a young woman forced into prostitution following a deeply traumatic childhood. Despite facing constant abuse and societal scorn, she maintains a quiet internal dignity. A chance encounter at a mosque inspires her to seek a cleaner, more spiritually fulfilling life.

Baybars is the nephew of a powerful religious zealot in Konya. He uses his family's status to act with impunity, frequently targeting vulnerable individuals. His aggressive, militant interpretation of religion makes him a direct antagonist to more mystical, tolerant teachings.

Jackal Head is a professional assassin operating in the thirteenth century. He accepts a highly lucrative commission to murder a controversial mystic. Though efficient in his work, he occasionally experiences hesitation or remorse regarding his targets.

Baba Zaman is the master of a dervish lodge in Baghdad. He recognizes the unique spiritual potential of his students and carefully orchestrates their paths. He possesses a deep understanding of human nature and the sacrifices required for spiritual advancement.

Suleiman is an alcoholic living in Konya who frequently questions the strict rules of his society. Despite his substance abuse, he possesses a perceptive mind and a genuine, albeit unconventional, relationship with faith. He experiences moments of profound clarity and divine connection.