[Salaat] Are you aware ?

[Mazhar]

Basic perception infolded in the Root ط و ف is frequent moving over an area-place. المطاف is a place for moving about. الطائف is a night watchman, who keeps moving in a locality to guard. In the light of the relationships inherent and perceived from this Root the word الطائفة denotes a fraternity-homogenous group/circle of people who share common values.

The word "circling", on the contrary, denotes moving following a curving route which is not inherent in the said Root.