Assalamu'alaikum! Bismillahirrahmaniraheem..
I don't talk about Islamic practices so much here because I'm afraid of saying the wrong things because every word we say will be asked by Allah SWT. However, after thorough research, such a mistake can be overcomed.
The issue that I'd like to highlight here is regarding our position when we perform Solat, specifically during tahiyat akhir. Sometimes a saf (row) can get really packed with people standing so close together, it gets uncomfortable. In my experience, realizing that there are so many people in one saf, if begin to think what will happen in the last rakaat during the tahiyat akhir. I worry because I'm such a small person and I often get sat on, or squeezed by the person beside me, usually the person on my right. This is because in Malaysia, follow Imam Shafie, we still in a rather broad position during tahiyat akhir. And some people, despite realizing that there is not enough room for that position, they try to force themselves into it. In the end, people like me get pushed into a very uncomfortable position that even causes injury.
But why does this happen? Why would people cause others discomfort during solat? One reason may be due to the misunderstanding that it is a must to get into that position no matter what. Based on my readings, and listening to comments by UAI, it is actually not a must. Take some time to watch the video below.
Therefore, it is alright to be in tahiyat awal (iftirash) position for tahiyat akhir.. If there isn't enough room, you shouldn't force yourself into tahiyat akhir (tawaruk) position during tahiyat akhir because it can cause discomfort to the person beside you or even pain.
