He went on to relate how ʿUmar met him while he was still herding; ʿUmar asked him to plead for forgiveness on his behalf and even offered him money, but he refused.
This wording is objectionable and very likely fabricated (1).

Ishāq ibn Abī Bakr informed us; Yūsuf ibn Khalīl informed us; Abū al-Makārim al-Muʿaddal informed us; Abū ʿAlī al-Ḥaddād informed us; the ḥāfiẓ Abū Nuʿaym related to us; Ḥabīb ibn al-Ḥasan narrated to us; Abū Shuʿayb al-Ḥarrānī narrated to us; Khālid ibn Yazīd al-ʿUmarī narrated to us, from ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn Abī Rawwād, from ʿAlqamah ibn Marthad, who said:

“Asceticism culminated in eight men: ʿĀmir ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAbd Qays, Uways al-Qaranī, Haram ibn Hayyān, al-Rabīʿ ibn Khuthaym, Masrūq ibn al-Ajdaʿ, al-Aswad ibn Yazīd, Abū Muslim al-Khawlānī, and al-Ḥasan ibn Abī al-Ḥasan (2).”

It is reported from Haram ibn Hayyān that he said:
“I arrived in Kūfah caring about nothing but to ask after Uways. I was directed to him on the bank of the Euphrates, where he was making ablution and washing his clothes. I recognised him from the description: a dark-complexioned man, head shaven, with a thick beard and an awe-inspiring presence. I greeted him and extended my hand to shake his, but he refused to shake mine. Tears welled up when I saw his state, and I said, ‘Peace be upon you, O Uways. How are you, my brother?’

He replied, ‘And upon you. May Allah give you life, O Haram! Who guided you to me?’

I said, ‘Allah.’

He recited, ‘Glory be to our Lord! The promise of our Lord is indeed fulfilled’ (al-Isrāʾ 17:108).

I asked, ‘May Allah have mercy on you, how did you know my name and my father’s name? By Allah, you have never seen me, nor have I seen you!’

He answered, ‘My spirit recognised yours when my soul spoke to your soul, for spirits enjoy intimacy just as bodies do (3); and believers recognise one another through Allah’s Spirit, even if they are far apart.’