Abdul Aziz bin Abi Hazim (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from his father that a group came to Sahl bin Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him); they were disputing about the minbar, as to what wood it was made of. He said: I know what wood it is made of and who made it. I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) from the first day he sat on it. The narrator says: I said: O Abu Abbas, tell us. He said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) sent word to a woman (Abu Hazim (may Allah have mercy on him) says: he also named her), "Tell your carpenter slave to make a wooden minbar for me, so that I may sit on it and admonish the people." He made three steps for it. Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the order and it was placed in this spot. It was of tamarisk wood. And I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stand on it and say the takbir, that is, 'Allahu akbar' (Allah is the Greatest), and the people also said 'Allahu akbar' (Allah is the Greatest). Then he bowed, then raised his head from bowing, came down from the minbar walking backwards and made the prostration at the foot of the minbar. Then he went back, until he finished the prayer. Then he turned to the people and said: "O people, I did this so that you may follow me and learn my prayer."
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الجمعة / 5697