In June 2020, WotC did the unprecedented and banned seven "offensive" cards, after an article from a salty temp came out about WotC hiring practices. The article ended with a small scalding review on the now very infamous "Invoke Prejudice".
How offensive either of these cards is debatable, with that one obvious exception.
Jihad has two descriptions, with one being a holy war against the enemies of Islam. Which is probably the definition that got this card banned. However, it's also been used as a personal spiritual struggle against sin. Its obvious which one this card is invoking, but I wasn't aware of the other description until I started writing this, and found it neat.
If I can say anything on this, its that at least WotC was consistent, also banning its brother Crusade.
Playability: Jihad, at 3 white, has one of the more intensive color requirements for any crusade effect in the format. However, its effect is rather potent. It gives a whopping +2/+1 to all white creatures.
For an example, White Knight goes from being an impressive 2/2 with Pro. Black and First Strike, to an amazing 4/3 with First Strike, and Serra becomes a 6/5 with flying and vigilance.
It does come with a flavorful drawback that if your opponent doesn't have a card of a color of your choice in play, its sacrificed.
There's only a few real round about ways to get around this, the most realistic hoping your opponent has an enchantment you can conveniently ignore in play. My older brother use to run it with Laces in Shandalar, changing a basic land into a color.
I personally run it as a sorcery speed combat trick (my same stance with creature enchantments) that have the possibility of hanging around. I ran it in 'Offensive White' for the Northern Paladin Gauntlet for a few times, and with one exception, it was an asset anytime it landed.
Still the cost and drawback on this can be fierce, and its global effect can hurt in certain situations.
Playability 3/5.
Art: Snoddy is great at drawing crowds. His piece for Balduvian Horde might be one of the most iconic of the era. Jihads art, while not as iconic, is certainly just as impressive. The show of numerous Arabian warriors in battle show just exactly what a Jihad is, in all its glory. Small details like patterns, contrasting colors, and even the teeth on the horse, would normally make a piece seem busy, but here it works well.
The washed out colors are a nice touch, and help make the card memorable. If I had any complaints, its there is a bit to much going on in the art, however it's not the worst offender of this by any means. I think the best part of it, is it looks like something drawn in that time period, which is important for establishing the cards as 'tomes' feel Magic wanted in its early days.
The fact he also drew Army of Allah is just a bonus.
Art 3/5
Flavor: The flavor sells the card. You declare a Jihad on an enemy and a color. As long as that presence is still there, the Jihad is still on. Naturally, when the Jihad is declared, it has a double edged sword, as your opponents creatures get excited as well, and fight just as harder. When victory is achieved, the Jihad is over and the card is destroyed. In reality, its an amazing flavorful card, with the simple issue being why does it get destroyed to disenchant, but that is hardly this cards fault.
Flavor 4/5.
10/15. 3: Average card. Sure their are better cards to want out of your Arabian Nights pack, much better cards. However, its the cards like these, with the obvious high risk, high rewards that made magic so great and magical.
Finally, for the seven, I will be including a part called effect, how, if they were theoretically banned in Old School, how much of an impact it would do to the format.
Jihad Honestly doesn't see a ton of play, and while I'm proud of the one I own, I acknowledge its not a particularly good crusade effect. Sure I'm known for being a bit liberal with my rating on cards I enjoy. However, in a world with Crusade, this card just isn't as effective, or as good. However, it's nice to see, and can honestly turn the tide of any battle when played right. It would be a shame for such a neat card to be reduced to trade binders and collector boxes.
Effect on the format if banned: 2/5.
I had this realistically happen one game, and it was awesome!
