Ahsanallahu Ilaikum, virtuous Shaykh. When reciting duas from the Qur’an and Sunnah—like those for nafs control—does one need to understand the meaning while reciting? And if someone doesn’t know Arabic, can they repeat the meaning in their head after reciting to make it more effective?

Ustadh AbdulAziz al-Haqqan

Knowing the meaning helps in presence of your heart while making the dua, so yes it is always better just to know the meaning of what you are saying.