Why did Usman dan Fodio call for jihad in 1804?

Usman dan Fodio called for jihad in 1804 primarily to address the corruption of Islamic practice and the oppression of the people by the ruling dynasties of the Hausa states.12

His decision was driven by several key factors:

• Religious Reform: Usman and his followers were deeply dissatisfied that rulers in the region mixed Islam with traditional religious practices and failed to observe Islamic law in full.1
• Political Conflict: As Usman’s independent Muslim community grew, the rulers of Gobir viewed it as a threat to their authority. They began imposing restrictions on his preaching and the community's practices, eventually leading to open hostility.32
• Justification for War: Following a series of confrontations, including the forced liberation of Muslim prisoners by his supporters, Usman concluded that the sultan of Gobir had attacked the Muslim community. He declared that the sultan had become an unbeliever and that it was a religious duty to overthrow such unjust rulers.12

Following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, Usman performed a hijrah (migration) to Gudu in 1804, where he was elected leader and formally launched the movement to establish a society governed by strict Islamic principles.32