What is the ruling on someone who contracted AIDS as a result of their behavior, then repented sincerely after learning of the illness, and fears that their repentance will not be accepted because they repented after seeing the torment, believing that the disgrace of this world does not remove the torment of the Hereafter? Is what they believe correct, what should they believe, and will they be held accountable for the costs of their treatment?

A person afflicted with an illness should not despair of Allah's mercy. The door of repentance is open to them as long as they have not started rattling in the throat (ghargara), for Allah accepts the repentance of a servant as long as their soul has not reached the throat, as clarified by His (SWT) saying: "Indeed, repentance is due to Allah only for those who do evil in ignorance and then repent soon after. It is those to whom Allah will turn in forgiveness, and Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. But repentance is not [accepted] of those who [continue to] do evil deeds until, when death approaches one of them, he says, 'Indeed, I have repented now,' nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For those We have prepared a painful punishment." Their patience in illness and their sincere repentance will be in the balance of their good deeds, and Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.