How are we to understand the Hadith: "Mecca will never be invaded after this year" given incidents such as the Qarmatians' invasion of Mecca and the conflict between Al-Hajjaj and Ibn Al-Zubayr?

The text of the Hadith states: "Makkah shall never be invaded after this year," and "This [Makkah] shall not be invaded after today until the Day of Resurrection."

The Hadith carries two meanings: The first: That the people of Makkah will never disbelieve and will not be invaded due to disbelief, supported by the Hadith: "Expeditions against this House will not cease until an army among them is swallowed up by the earth." The second: That it is a prohibition against violating the sanctity of Makkah, supported by the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Indeed, Allah restrained killing from Makkah... It was not made lawful for anyone before me, nor will it be made lawful for anyone after me."

The meaning is interpreted as Allah not permitting anyone to invade Makkah. What Al-Jannabi Al-Qarmati and Al-Hajjaj did does not contradict the Hadith; for Al-Qarmati was a disbeliever, and Al-Hajjaj did not invade it due to the disbelief of its people, but rather to subjugate Ibn Az-Zubair. The question of why the Qaramita were not immediately punished was answered by stating that the People of the Elephant were punished to demonstrate the honor of the House before the establishment of Islamic laws, whereas the Qaramita committed their act after the establishment of Islamic laws, thus their apostasy became known, and their punishment was deferred until the Day of Resurrection.