Imam al-Zuhri (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from Ibn Ka'b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that Sayyiduna Mu'adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) was a handsome and gentle young man, and among the best sons of his people. Whatever he was asked for, he would give, until so much debt fell upon him that all his property went into debt. He requested the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to speak to his creditors. He (peace and blessings be upon him) spoke to them, but they did not forgive anything. If a debt were forgiven anyone for someone's sake, Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him) would have been forgiven for the sake of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). The narrator said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) called Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him), and he (peace and blessings be upon him) kept selling his property and distributing it among the creditors, so that nothing was left with Sayyiduna Mu'adh (may Allah be pleased with him).
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب التفليس / 11262