Saladin is an Indian voice actor who has spent his life trying to shed his cultural roots in favor of an English identity. He adopts an English accent and mannerisms, desperately hoping to be accepted by British society. After surviving an explosion on a hijacked flight, he finds himself physically transforming into a goat-like creature, an affliction that forces him into the working-class immigrant communities he previously avoided.

Gibreel is a wealthy Bollywood movie star famous for playing various deities in theological films. Born Ismail Najmuddin, he is a confirmed atheist who lost his faith entirely following a severe illness. After surviving the airplane explosion alongside Saladin, Gibreel begins to take on glowing, angelic characteristics and experiences vivid, uncontrollable dreams where he plays the role of an archangel.

Alleluia is a British-Polish mountain climber who gained international fame for summiting Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. The arduous climb left her with persistent physical ailments, including fallen arches, and frequent visual hallucinations of dead climbers. Finding herself without any higher peaks to conquer, she directs her energy toward caring for Gibreel Farishta.

Ayesha is a young orphan girl with epilepsy who lives in the village of Titlipur. She gains a devoted, fanatic following after claiming to receive messages from the archangel Gibreel through the melodies of popular hit songs. Her influence over the region grows immensely when she demands the entire village follow her on a punishing pilgrimage to Mecca.

Pamela is an English woman married to Saladin Chamcha. She struggles continuously with the traumatic memory of her parents, who died by suicide due to financial ruin. Her marriage to Saladin is strained by her growing alcoholism and her feeling that he only married her for her cultural status rather than genuine affection.

Mahound is a businessman turned religious leader who appears as a central figure in Gibreel Farishta's dreams. Operating as an allegory for the prophet Muhammad, Mahound ascends a mountain to receive divine instruction from an archangel. He establishes a monotheistic religion called Submission, facing heavy opposition from the polytheistic leaders of Jahilia who view him as a threat to their commerce and traditions.

Rekha is a married woman who engaged in a passionate affair with Gibreel Farishta in India. When Gibreel abruptly abandons her to pursue Alleluia Cone, Rekha jumps from a tall building with her children. Her spirit subsequently haunts Gibreel, appearing in his visions to hurl insults and force him to confront his actions.

Changez is Saladin's wealthy father who lives in Bombay. He deeply disapproves of his son's rejection of Indian culture and maintains a distant, strained relationship with him over the years. He is the keeper of a polished copper-and-brass lamp that holds great symbolic importance for his family.

Jumpy is a karate instructor and longtime friend of Saladin Chamcha. Believing Saladin perished in the terrorist hijacking, Jumpy visits Pamela Lovelace to offer comfort, a gesture that quickly evolves into a passionate affair. He struggles with guilt over his betrayal while trying to navigate the complexities of Saladin's miraculous return.

Rosa is an 88-year-old English woman who claims to possess "phantom-sight." She lived in Argentina with her late husband for many years, giving her an understanding of what it means to be an outsider. She casually accepts the bizarre arrival of Saladin and Gibreel, offering them shelter from the winter weather.

Zeenat, a writer and childhood friend of Saladin Chamcha, becomes his first Indian romantic partner during his return trip to Bombay. She is deeply passionate about Indian culture and regularly criticizes Saladin for wrapping himself in a false English identity.

Muhammad is a former academic and political activist who now runs the Shaandaar Café in London. He rents rooms above the cafe to immigrants and outcasts, providing a vital community hub. He allows the transformed Saladin to rent a room when he has nowhere else to go.

Hind is Muhammad Sufyan's wife and the matriarch of the café. Unlike her husband, she is horrified by the goat-like Saladin and is highly reluctant to let him stay in their home. She is fiercely protective of her daughters and highly suspicious of the modern influences corrupting them.

Mirza Saeed is a wealthy, educated landowner in the village of Titlipur who appears in Gibreel's dreams. He is a steadfast skeptic of organized religion and magic. When Ayesha begins gathering followers for her pilgrimage, Mirza Saeed drives his station wagon alongside the walking peasants, actively trying to talk them out of their fanatical quest.

Mishal is the wife of Mirza Saeed in Titlipur. Desperate to conceive a child, she befriends the strange orphan Ayesha. When Mishal is diagnosed with advanced, inoperable breast cancer, she abandons medical science and places all her hope in Ayesha's promise that a pilgrimage to Mecca will cure her.

Mishal is the eldest daughter of Muhammad and Hind Sufyan. She is fascinated by Saladin's radical, demonic appearance rather than frightened by it. She navigates the complex social environment of London while keeping secrets from her strict mother.

Anahita is the younger daughter of the Sufyan family. Like her sister, she is intrigued by Saladin Chamcha's transformation. She is observant and occasionally leverages the secrets she discovers about her sister's private life.

Hanif is an articulate, successful lawyer who frequents the Shaandaar Café. He is involved in the local community and begins a secret relationship with Mishal Sufyan, helping arrange safe housing for Saladin when tensions rise in the café.

Abu Simnel is a wealthy businessman and the de facto leader of Jahilia in Gibreel's visions. He views Mahound's monotheistic teachings as a direct threat to the city's economy, which relies on pilgrims visiting the temples of various gods. He attempts to broker political compromises to neutralize Mahound's influence.

Baal is an arrogant young poet in the city of Jahilia. Hired by Abu Simnel to write satirical verses mocking Mahound and his followers, Baal uses his literary talents as a weapon against the new religion. When Mahound gains power, Baal is forced to hide in a brothel disguised as a eunuch.

Salman is one of Mahound's original, trusted followers who is given the responsibility of transcribing the prophet's divine revelations. He gradually becomes disillusioned, viewing the rules of Submission as overly convenient for Mahound. He begins subtly altering the transcriptions to test Mahound's divine connection.

Mimi is Saladin's coworker and fellow voice actor. She informs the recently escaped Saladin that he has already been replaced on their television show by a white actor. She becomes involved with a known con-man despite Saladin's warnings.

S. S. Sisodia is a famous movie producer who recognizes Gibreel Farishta after accidentally hitting him with a car. He leverages Gibreel's past contract breaches to pressure him into returning to the movie industry to star in a film about an archangel.

The Imam is a powerful religious figure who has been forced out of his homeland, Desh, by Empress Ayesha. From his apartment in London, he broadcasts radio messages to inspire a revolution against her. He uses a ritual to summon the archangel Gibreel to fly him back to his homeland to defeat his enemy.