Concise Quran Commentary
It was as if they had never resided there previously. Without doubt, Madyan was distanced from Allah’s mercy when His punishment fell on them, just as Thamūd was driven away from it by Allah’s sending down His anger on them.
كَأَن لَّمْ يَغْنَوْا۟ فِيهَآ ۗ أَلَا بُعْدًا لِّمَدْيَنَ كَمَا بَعِدَتْ ثَمُودُ
as if they had never dwelt there. Behold, away with Midian just as it was with Thamūd!
It was as if they had never resided there previously. Without doubt, Madyan was distanced from Allah’s mercy when His punishment fell on them, just as Thamūd was driven away from it by Allah’s sending down His anger on them.