The Satanic Verses is a novel by Salman Rushdie that weaves together magical realism and historical fiction. The story follows two Indian expatriates, Gibreel Farishta and Saladin Chamcha, who survive a terrorist attack on a plane and undergo dramatic transformations. The novel explores themes of identity, religion, and cultural conflict through a narrative that incorporates elements of Islamic history and mythology. Its title refers to a controversial and fictionalized retelling of a disputed part of Islamic tradition, which significantly contributed to the book’s notoriety.

The Satanic Verses faced intense controversy and widespread bans due to its perceived blasphemy and critical portrayal of Islam. The novel’s depiction of religious figures and its reinterpretation of Islamic history provoked outrage among many Muslims, leading to calls for censorship and the issuance of a fatwa by Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, which called for Rushdie’s death. The book’s exploration of sensitive religious topics and the violent reactions it provoked have made it a highly contentious and frequently banned work, reflecting broader debates about freedom of expression and religious sensitivity.