And when the prostration may not be due to death, he clarified the intended meaning by his saying: "As if they had not lived therein." That is, they did not remain in their dwellings as wealthy individuals, engaged in transactions, mingling with the maidens, absorbed in singing. And since the essence of that is distancing, he emphasized it by saying: "Indeed, distance for Madyan." Distance, although it means the opposite of closeness, entails destruction. So it is from 'ba'da' with a kasra. And what I understood is supported by his statement that their matter was lighter than that of Thamud by his saying: "As Thamud was distant."