In the famous hadith of Jibril, the Prophet ﷺ said: Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, and His messengers. Why did he say "messengers"?

Why didn't he say "prophets" or "His prophets"?

The prophets and the messengers are one and the same.

When he says prophets or messengers, it is the same. The prophets are the messengers, and the messengers are the prophets.

And some scholars see that the messenger has a higher rank.

Than the prophet, a higher rank than the prophet.

And some of them see that the Messenger is the one who brought a new law.

A new law, and the Prophet did not bring a new law, rather he follows the law of the Messenger before him.

Meaning he follows, the Prophet follows the Messenger, and some said: the Prophet is the one who received revelation but was not commanded.

To convey, and the Messenger received revelation and was commanded to convey. But if "Prophets" is mentioned, it includes the Messengers, and if "Messengers" is mentioned, it includes.

The Prophets. Allah knows best.