The word "Radan" in the dua at the time of sehri that signifies "tomorrow"

Question: Some people claim that this Dua is not correct as it contains the word "Radan" that signifies "tomorrow". How can one say “Radan” (tomorrow) when one is fasting on the same day?

Answer: "Allaahumma Aswumu Radan Laka" (O Allah, I am fasting tomorrow for You). It is a Dua that people normally read at the time of Sehri. You are right that there is the word "Radan" which means tomorrow. It appears incorrect as tomorrow means the day after today. However, it is an absolutely normal expression according to general usage. In a Hadith of Abu Daawud narrated by Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abbaas (Radiyallahu Anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) had commanded Hazrat Bilal (Radiyallahu Anhu) to announce that Roza should be observed the following day. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) had given him this instruction after Maghrib at the time when the day changes according to Islam. In this Hadith, we notice that the word "Radan" has been mentioned. And yet, the day does not change when the dawn breaks. It is still the same day. This shows that the word "Radan" can be used in the evening to signify the morning or the day that begins at the time of Subh-e-Saadiq when the time of Sehri ends.

Moreover, when an announcement is made after Zuhr or ‘Asr in the Masjid for a speech that will be conducted after Isha, we often hear: "There will be a speech today after ‘Isha in the Masjid". Yet, Islamically speaking, it is not today. After Maghrib, it is the next day as our day changes after sunset. This shows that there is flexibility in the general usage that makes the next day become today and vice versa. Similarly, the word "Radan" is mentioned here to signify the ending time of Sehri when the day begins. So, it is absolutely correct and normal.

[English version of "Le mot "Radan" dans dua sehri ki signifié "demain"" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.4]