How to offer the `Asr Prayer if its time becomes due while being in the bus?

Q 1: At the city of Khurfakkan in the Emirate of Sharjah, buses come to transport around four hundred female students to the City of Al `Ayn in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. These buses move at half past two, (Part No. 6; Page No. 450) after Jumu'ah prayer, and the time for the `Asr (Afternoon) Prayer expires on the way as these students reach the university after the start of Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer. The question now is whether these female students have to pray `Asr Prayer while sitting in their buses as they can not pray standing obviously because of the unavailability of space, or must they combine `Asr Prayer with Zhuhr Prayer at the time of the latter? Please provide us with your beneficial answer. May Allah reward you with the best.

A: These female students must perform the `Asr Prayer at its time. They have thus either to delay their journey in order to start it after the time `Asr Prayer is due, or to get off the buses during the journey in a safe place to perform `Asr Prayer. It is impermissible for them to combine `Asr Prayer with Zhuhr Prayer at the time of the latter before travelling. Likewise, it is impermissible for them to delay `Asr Prayer until the time Maghrib Prayer begins, or to pray sitting in their buses.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.