A prosperous fabric merchant from Baghdad who recounts his time-travel journey to the Caliph. He used the Gate of Years to travel to his past in hopes of saving his deceased wife, Najya.

A rope-maker from Cairo who visits his older self, learns the location of a buried treasure, and becomes a wealthy, generous merchant.

A poor weaver who travels to the future, discovers his older self is a miser, and steals his chest of gold, only to eventually become that same miserly man.

A woman who works with her apothecary brother and is desired by Ajib. After Ajib gains wealth, they marry, but she later becomes miserly alongside him.

Hassan's clever wife who travels back in time to thwart thieves and secretly takes her younger husband as a lover to teach him the art of love.

Fuwaad's wife who died twenty years ago after a mosque wall collapsed, shortly after an argument with him.

A medical assistant at the bimaristan who tended to Najya in her final moments and delivers her forgiving last message to Fuwaad.

The monarch of Baghdad to whom Fuwaad is recounting his extraordinary life story.

A learned inventor and shopkeeper who created the Gate of Seconds and the Gate of Years. He shares tales of past time travelers with Fuwaad.