What was the role of Abraham to Arabs pre- Muhammad?

I know that Islam united most of the Arab peoples into a single religion and that prior to Muhammad there were many different religions (including sects of Christians, Roman pagan off-shoots, Zoroastrians, etc.), but prior to Muhammad were Abraham, Ishmael, Moses, David and others mentioned in the Koran generally known to most Arabs? Did a significant number of Arabs consider themselves the descendants of Abraham prior to Muhammad?

Thanks for any info.